In a devastating turn of events, the casualty count in the recent road accident involving students from Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, escalated from an initial three to a heart-wrenching total of six. This tragic incident started as another three passengers sustained injuries while receiving medical treatment at the hospital following the crash.
As previously reported by The PUNCH, the accident occurred late on Wednesday when a bus, carrying occupants along the Osogbo/Ifon/Oyo boundary road tragically caught fire, resulting in the death of three individuals.
Fortunately, six other occupants of the ill-fated vehicle were rescued by the prompt response of the Osun Ambulance Scheme, who rushed to the scene of the accident near Ojutu Bridge in Ilobu.
What Happened
An eyewitness, Adeyanju, residing in Okinni, provided insight into the events leading up to the accident. According to him, the bus driver had collided with a commercial motorcyclist in the town and was attempting to flee from the wrath of enraged residents pursuing him.
Just meters from Ojutu Bridge, the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to somersault and ignite in flames. While some people were rescued before the fire spread, three individuals perished in the flames.
Elizabeth Arowosafe, the Head of Operations for the Osun Ambulance Scheme, recounted the organisation’s response to the distress call, which came in at approximately 9:50 pm on Wednesday.
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She explained that the bus was transporting final-year students from Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, who were returning from a picnic when the accident occurred.
Arowosafe stated, “We responded around 9:53 p.m. I was informed that the driver had collided with someone in Okinni and was speeding to evade individuals in the area chasing after him when the incident transpired.”
This tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for vigilance by drivers and pedestrians.
