Two persons were crushed to death after a
water tanker with registration number,
XH527KTU, crashed into a taxi in Ilorin,
Kwara State.
The accident occurred near the NNPC Mega
Station at the Asa-Dam area of Ilorin, the
Kwara State capital.
It was gathered that the yet-to-be identified
driver of the taxi marked, LFF 475 XA, and a
passenger, identified only as Alhaji Saka, died
in the accident, while three other passengers,
who occupied the back seat, sustained
injuries.
The injured passengers were identified as
Alhaji Lamidi, Mrs. Ambibola Jimoh and her
son, Olohuntoyin.
Our correspondent learnt that Saka and the
injured passengers had come for the funeral
prayer of one Alhaji Atunde in the area and
were returning to their homes in Erinle.
The incident, it was said, happened shortly
after the four passengers boarded the cab.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the tanker driver
was coming from an adjoining road that
linked the highway when the tanker’s brake
failed and rammed into the car from behind.
The tanker driver reportedly fled the scene.
Eyewitnesses, who spoke with our
correspondents, said the victims had been
taken to Garin Alimi Hospital, adding that
policemen from Adewole Police Division had
evacuated the tanker.
An eyewitness, Alhaji Sule Jimoh, said the
tanker was coming from the Egbejila area of
Asa-Dam, after it had been filled with water
for sale to an unnamed client.
He said, “The tanker was coming from the
Egbejila area. The driver lost control of the
tanker because of a brake failure.
“There was a taxi that was going towards the
Offa Garage area. The tanker fell on the taxi.”
Another witness, Isiaq Abdulrasaq, said it took
about 10 minutes before the cab could be
moved from under the truck.
He said, “It happened around 3pm. The brake
of the tanker failed and it rammed into the
cab. It squeezed the taxi to the median and
rested on it. A tipper driver used his vehicle
to lift the truck and we all rescued the
victims.
“The driver and an elderly man sitting beside
him died, but the three passengers at the back
were lucky, particularly one woman and her
son. They have been taken to Garin Alimi
Hospital.”
At the hospital, a nurse, who declined to give
her name, said the accident victims were
indeed brought to the facility.
“We are attending to three victims and their
conditions are much better now. The two
corpses have been taken to a mortuary,” she
said.
Jimoh’s step-son, Bolakale, said she was
getting fine, adding that it was by God’s grace
that his family members survived.
“She is getting better now. I was in the office
when I received a call that she and my step-
brother had an accident. The accident
happened a few kilometres away from our
house. Their injuries are internal.”
Lamidi had also become stable when our
correspondents visited him at ward V2. It was
learnt that the 85-year-old man had yet to be
informed about his friend’s death.
Fourteen-year-old Olohuntoyin, who was
limping, told PUNCH Metro about his
experience.
He said, “My mum and I were going to shop.
Suddenly the tanker hit our car. I forced
myself out through the driver’s side.”
One Alfa Tajudeen, a son of late Atunde, also
lamented Alhaji Saka’s death.
“He was a friend to my father. I called him on
Tuesday that his friend died and the fidau
(funeral) prayer would hold today
(Wednesday). I personally served him food
during the prayer. It was sad he died in such
circumstance,” he said.
When contacted, the Kwara State Police
spokesperson, ASP Ajayi Okasanmi, promised
to get back to our correspondent. He had,
however, yet to do so as of press time.
However, a police source showed the tanker
to our correspondent, who visited the
Adewole division.
“The driver is still at large, but his colleagues
have shown up and they have promised to
foot the hospital bills of the victims,” he
added.
The Kwara State Sector Commander, Federal
Road Safety Corps, Mrs. Mary Wakawa,
confirmed the accident on the telephone.
http://www.punchng.com/metro-plus/two-die-as-tanker-crushes-cab-in-kwara/

rip to the dead
tankers always causing mishaps since the time of hitler