Ghastly Accident:Tanker crushes cab in Kwara,two dead~SEE PHOTO

The ghastly accident occurred close to the NNPC Mega Station at the
Asa-Dam area of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
It was learnt 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 passengers that were injured were identified as Alhaji Lamidi,
Mrs. Ambibola Jimoh and her son, Olohuntoyin.
It was 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.
Firstclass newsline gathered 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 firstclass newsline crew 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 firstclass
newsline 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.
A police source showed the tanker to our correspondent, who visited
the Adewole division.
It was learnt that 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.
Kwara State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Mrs. Mary
Wakawa, confirmed the accident on the telephone.
Firstclassnewsline.net