8 dead, nine injured in Lagos-Ore expressway crash

EIGHT persons died yesterday in a pre – dawn accident when a truck and commercial bus had a head – on collision at the J4 – Ogbere (Ogun State) stretch of the Lagos – Ore expressway.

The accident which occurred at the Olorunpodo junction of the J4 area around 4:00am, involved a Toyota Hiace bus marked ETU 409 XA and Volvo truck with registration number KRD 908 XN, also left nine other persons injured.

It was learnt that the truck driver was driving in the direction of Benin against traffic and while trying to pick his way out of the junction ran headlong into the bus moving towards Ijebu – Ode, Ogun State.

Operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) were sighted clearing obstruction, directing traffic and evacuating victims.

According to the Public Relations Officer of TRACE, Babatunde Akinbiyi, the injured have been taken to the Hope Hospital in J4, Ogbere, while the remains of the dead were moved to the morgue of the State Hospital, Ijebu – Ode.

Akinbiyi in his traffic report, stated that eight persons died in the accident while nine others were injured.

“The accident occurred at the Olorunpodo junction in – bound J4 along Sagamu-Benin express way. It involved Toyota Hiace bus with registration number   ETU 409 XA and Volvo truck with registration number KRD 908 XN

“Cause: Driving against traffic by the truck driver. Number of occupants: 23, number of injured: nine and the presumed dead, eight including two females and driver of the bus.

“The injured victims were taken to Hope Hospital at J4 while the presumed dead taken to the Ijebu – Ode General Hospital  morgue by FRSC and TRACE. The truck was heading towards Benin while the bus was heading towards Ijebu – Ode,” Akinbiyi stated.