By Babs Akin
No fewer than five persons, including children, reportedly lost their lives in a fatal road accident that occurred on Thursday night at Omi-Asoro Junction in Ilesa, Osun State.
The tragic incident, which happened around 9 p.m., involved a head-on collision between a hummer bus and a commercial minibus popularly known as korope.
Eyewitnesses at the scene said the crash caused panic and confusion as residents and passersby rushed to rescue victims trapped inside the wreckage.
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According to witnesses, the hummer bus, loaded with goods including phone accessories and electronic appliances, was travelling from Ilorin and heading to Warri, Delta State, when the accident occurred.
One of the survivors, who spoke with journalists at the scene, said the bus was on its journey to Delta before the unfortunate collision.
“The hummer bus was carrying goods and was coming from Ilorin on its way to Warri. Suddenly, the collision happened and everything became chaotic,” the survivor recounted.
The impact of the collision was said to be severe, leaving both vehicles badly damaged and mangled beyond recognition. The force of the crash reportedly threw victims out of the vehicles, with bodies found scattered along the highway and in nearby bushes.
Residents and emergency responders were seen working tirelessly to evacuate victims from the scene as traffic built up around the busy junction.
Men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) later arrived at the scene to conduct rescue operations and clear the road.
As of the time of filing this report, injured victims had been taken to Zion Hospital for medical treatment, while the deceased were deposited at a mortuary.
Authorities are yet to officially confirm the identities of the victims or the exact cause of the accident.
The incident has once again raised concerns over road safety and reckless driving on major highways, with residents calling on relevant authorities to intensify efforts aimed at preventing recurring road tragedies across the country.
