Six people lost their lives while 19 others sustained varying degrees of injuries on Friday after a passenger bus somersaulted at Osuponri Village near the ICT Polytechnic, Itori, along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway in Ogun State.
The accident, which occurred around 11 a.m., was confirmed by the spokesperson of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi.
According to Akinbiyi, the crash involved a Toyota bus with registration number KJA 851 YH, which was loaded with 27 passengers at the time.
He explained that a sudden tyre burst while the vehicle was at high speed led to the driver losing control, causing the bus to somersault.
“The fatal accident occurred at Osuponri Village, inbound Itori. It involved a Toyota bus with registration number KJA 851 YH (grey colour). It was caused by a tyre burst and loss of control that led to the vehicle somersaulting,” Akinbiyi said.
The impact of the crash claimed the lives of six passengers, including the driver, while 19 others were rushed to the Ifo General Hospital for treatment. The remains of the deceased were deposited at the hospital morgue.
Akinbiyi further disclosed that the casualties included two male adults, two female adults, and a male and female child.
He warned motorists against the use of expired or fake tyres, stressing that such negligence often leads to fatal crashes.
“TRACE, the Police, and the FRSC commiserate with the families of the deceased. Drivers are hereby charged to avoid using fake and expired tyres in view of their attendant consequences,” he added.
