Metro
One dies, two injured after vehicle rams into Ondo New Year procession
Tragedy struck in Ikare-Akoko, headquarters of Akoko North East Local Council of Ondo State, yesterday, when a vehicle rammed into a crowd during New Year festivities, killing one person.
Road Accident. Pix: newsdiaryonline.com
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Two others were injured in the accident, which occurred at the Okela axis of the town.
The driver of the vehicle, a J5 bus, heading for the northern part of the country, was reportedly on top speed before crashing into a procession, consisting mainly of youths of the ancient town.
An eyewitness said the tragedy happened when youths from Olokelede were in a procession from Ekan to Okela, the venue of a carnival.
The eyewitness, who gave his name simply as Lukman, said: “The youths from Ekan were on their way to Okela when the J5 bus rammed into them. The person who drove the vehicle was actually speeding. After the accident, we learnt that the youths should have informed road safety officials about the procession, so that they could guide them.”
Confirming the accident, Chief of the Quarter and Olokelede of Ekan, Ayinde Olatunbosun, sympathised with the families of the victims. He also urged the youths not to take laws into their own hands.
Meanwhile, one Abu Balogun, a resident of Ikare, complained that youths participating in the carnival often behave in a rowdy manner. He urged them to always contact the police and men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for protection and traffic control.
Also, the unit commander of the FRSC in Ikare-Akoko, Ropo Alabi, said the corps usually provides cover to those who inform it of such events.
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