11 die in Kogi road crash

No fewer than 11 people were burnt dead and seven injured in a multiple crash that occured on Thursday along Ejule-Ochadamu by Olofu Bridge, Ochadamu in Kogi State.

In a statement signed by the Spokesperson of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Bisi Kazeem, on Thursday, the accident involved 20 vehicles including a truck, a tanker, 12 cars, and six bikes.

The Corps said investigation further revealed that the main causes of the crash and subsequent fire outbreak that claimed the innocent lives of the victims were road obstruction and brake failure.

The brake failure was a mechanical deficiency that impacted negatively on the functionality of the breaking system of the vehicle.

Owing to the ill-fated multiple fatal crash, the Acting Corps Marshal, FRSC, Dauda Biu, called on drivers, vehicle owners and fleet operators to imbibe the safe culture of carrying out routine as well as regular maintenance on their vehicles as they transit from one destination to another.

The statement read in part, “As at the time of this statement, the emergency rescue team of the Corps has concluded the rescue of the injured persons to the hospital while the burnt victims were also evacuated.

“The Corps Marshal has directed adequate deployment of personnel to ensure prompt clearing of obstructions and free flow of traffic on the affected part of the road.

“While decrying the dangers and damages that come from poor vehicle maintenance, wanton neglect of signs and warnings about mechanical deficiencies in the vehicle and driving against legal speed limit, the Acting Corps Marshal further directed Commanding Officers to intensify sensitisation and routine inspection for all fleet operators nationwide.

“He concluded by admonishing the public to always patronise the FRSC toll free line 122 and the National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM which are always available for all road users to report emergencies at any given time.”