A devastating road traffic accident has claimed the lives of nine people in Gombe State, with five others sustaining serious injuries. The fatal collision occurred when a speeding trailer lost control and rammed into a commercial bus from behind.
Details of the Gombe Fatal Accident
The tragic incident took place on Monday, December 22, at approximately 8:33 am. The location was the Kaltungo–Cham Road, specifically within the Kaluwa community of the Kaltungo Local Government Area in Gombe State.
Samson Kaura, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Gombe State, officially confirmed the accident and provided crucial details. He stated that a total of 18 people were involved in the crash. The breakdown of casualties is as follows:
- 9 individuals lost their lives.
- 5 persons suffered injuries of varying severity.
- 4 people managed to escape without any physical harm.
Emergency Response and Preliminary Findings
Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene. All the victims were rushed to the General Hospital in Kaltungo for urgent medical attention. The bodies of those who died were placed in the hospital's mortuary.
According to Sector Commander Kaura, preliminary investigations point to two main causes for the horrific crash: excessive speed and brake failure. He explained that the trailer was travelling at a high speed on a sloping section of the road. This, combined with the apparent brake failure, caused the driver to lose control of the heavy vehicle.
"The trailer was speeding on a sloping road and, as a result, lost control and hit the Sharon bus from behind, which caused the bus to somersault," Kaura detailed.
FRSC Safety Warning to Motorists
In the wake of this tragedy, the FRSC has issued a strong warning to all drivers. Commander Kaura emphasized the need for motorists to avoid excessive speed, particularly on roads with challenging topography like slopes.
"We have been advising motorists to avoid excessive speed, especially given the nature of the road, which is sloping. Drivers must travel at a controllable speed to prevent such crashes and the loss of lives and property," he stressed.
He also used the opportunity to remind drivers, especially those travelling during the festive season, to conduct thorough vehicle checks before embarking on any journey. Ensuring that critical components like brakes are in perfect working condition is a non-negotiable safety measure.
This accident serves as another grim reminder of the consequences of speeding and poor vehicle maintenance on Nigerian roads.
