Tragedy: Truck Crushes Three Students, Okada Rider To Death In Ibadan

 

A commercial truck has crushed three Junior Secondary School students and one commercial motorcyclist, popularly called Okada rider, to death in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.

The tragic incident occurred during the early hours of Wednesday, at Abanla–Idi-Ayunre road in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State when the students were going to school.

Eyewitness said the driver of a commercial truck operating in the area rammed into the motorcycle conveying the three students after a failed attempt to overtake another vehicle and crushed them.

NEWSREPORTER gathered that while two of the three students and the commercial motorcyclist died on the spot, the third student was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital where he was rushed to.

Angry students and other commercial motorcyclists, as well as the residents immediately protested against the tragic incident, paralyzing both academics and commercial activities in the area.

However, the driver of the ill-fated truck managed to escape from accident scene for possible fear of attack by the angry mob.

The Council chairman, Akeem Olatunji, who quickly rushed to the scene, confirmed the accident to newsmen, described the incident as tragic and devastating.

Olatunji condemned the recklessness of some trailer drivers operating in the area and commercial motorcyclists in their rush for quick money.

He added that if the commercial motorcyclists had adhered to all necessary traffic rules including the number of passengers allowed, the rider would have been able to prevent the ghastly accident.

While assuring the families of the victims, the chairman vowed that justice would be served on the case as the council would not leave any stone unturned to ensure that the driver was found and brought to book.

The chairman also assured the public that the construction company that owns the truck would be made to compensate the bereaved families.

“This is one tragedy too many. I can only imagine what the parents and families of these future leaders are going through emotionally, psychologically and physically, right now. I’m a father and I can tell it is better imagined.

“We cannot continue to lose our children to preventable road accidents due to reckless drivers and riders who are bent on violating our laws at will,” he lamented.

He, therefore, directed that speed bumps be constructed on the road without delay, saying “We must take firm steps to slow down these trailers and protect our people, especially schoolchildren.”