Panic gripped residents of Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Wednesday evening, following a fatal accident involving a trailer loaded with cement which lost its brake and crushed many people to death.
The incident, which occurred near the Holy Trinity Church, threw the university community into mourning as traders, students, and residents rushed to the scene in shock.
According to eyewitnesses, the truck was descending the hill leading into the town when it suddenly lost control.
A resident, who preferred not to be named, said, “The trailer came from the top of the hill. We don’t know if the barricade was opened or if it broke through it. About five people have been confirmed dead, but more are still trapped under the truck.”
As at the time of this report, emergency workers and security operatives were still carrying out rescue operations, while the actual death toll remained uncertain.
The tragic occurrence has rekindled painful memories of past accidents in the same area, which have repeatedly claimed several lives over the years.
Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, police, and local volunteers were on ground, working to remove the wreckage and clear the busy road.
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