16 people die in Kogi auto crash – FRSC

n n

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Friday confirmed the death of 16 people in a fatal road crash that occurred at Aku village along the Okene–Lokoja Road in Kogi.

n

The corps also confirmed that six people sustained varying degrees of injuries from the crash.

n

This is contained in a statement signed by the Corps Commander, Lawan Fagge.

n

Fagge stated that the accident, which happened at about 9:20 p.m. on Thursday, involved a white commercial Toyota Hiace bus with registration number BUS 17 ZD.

n

According to the sector commander, a total of 22 people were involved in the lone crash, comprising 21 male adults and one female adult.

n

He disclosed that 16 victims — 15 male adults and one female adult — died at the scene of the accident, while the remaining six male passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries.

n

The FRSC sector commander said preliminary findings from injured survivors indicated that fatigue and speeding were responsible for the crash.

n

He noted that the vehicle was travelling from Jos to Lagos before the incident occurred.

n

Fagge stated that one of the rescued victims was taken to the Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, while the other five injured passengers were receiving treatment at Osara Hospital.

n

Describing the crash as avoidable, the sector commander condemned night journeys undertaken without adequate rest, stressing that the driver could have stopped at a park to rest before continuing the trip.

n

He also used the opportunity to advise motorists against driving under stress and over- speeding, warning that such practices continued to contribute significantly to road crashes across the country.

n

Fagge sympathised with the families of the deceased and wished the injured victims a speedy recovery. (NAN)

n n