At least 13 people have been confirmed dead as two vehicles collided along the Owo-Ikare Akoko Expressway, near Abule Panu village in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The accident involving two commercial buses happened on Saturday morning, December 28, 2024.
One person was said to have survived with serious injuries.
Eyewitnesses accounts said one of the buses coming from the Ikare axis had a tyre burst and had a head-on collision with the bus loaded with fabric coming from the Owo axis.
The witnesses said the two buses went up in flames.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ondo State Sector Commander, Dr Samuel Ibitoye, in a statement issued on Saturday, said the accident occurred at around 10:14 am, claiming the lives of 13 people in the two buses.
According to the FRSC commander, the victims were burnt beyond recognition, while the only survivor of the crash sustained serious injuries.
He added that his team, along with the police and the state fire service, rushed to the scene to rescue the victims, but only one person survived the accident.
Ibitoye said, “A total of 14 people were involved, of whom 13 were burnt beyond recognition, while only one was rescued alive with serious injuries.”
“As of press time, eyewitness accounts indicated that the bus coming from the Ikare axis had a tyre burst, which led to a loss of control and a subsequent head-on collision with the bus loaded with fabric coming from the Owo axis.
“Immediately after the collision, both buses caught fire. The FRSC, police, and state fire service were swift in arriving at the crash site to assist.”
“The injured victim was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, while the deceased were deposited at the morgue of the same hospital.”
The FRSC commander advised drivers to exercise patience on the roads, maintain their vehicles properly, and urged passengers to report dangerous driving, stressing that road safety is a concern for everyone.
