Five killed as tanker crushes car in Ibadan

At least five people have been killed after a diesel tanker lost its brakes and crushed a commercial car during a multiple-vehicle crash along the Iwo Road-Ojoo Expressway in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The victims, two men and three women, were travelling in a Nissan Micra when the tanker fell on the car at Aduloju Bus Stop, opposite Dominion City, around 10am on Saturday.

The General Manager of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority, Adeoye Ayoade, said about six vehicles, including private cars and commercial vehicles, were involved in the crash.

He attributed the accident to a traffic build-up caused by a broken-down trailer carrying motor spare parts at Arilogu, which had obstructed traffic since about 5am.

According to Ayoade, the trailer driver had been taken to hospital while arrangements were being made to transfer its load to another vehicle, resulting in a long queue of traffic.

“The tanker carrying diesel lost its brake and fell. About six vehicles were involved in the crash, both private cars and Micra. The tank on the truck then rolled on top of one of the Micra.

“The five people inside the Micra, two males including the driver at the front and three females sitting at the back, died,” he said.

The Oyo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, also confirmed the accident, which he said occurred around Kajorepo.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, directed the Divisional Police Officer in Kajorepo and nearby patrol teams to secure the scene and rescue those involved.

The victims’ remains were deposited at the Adeoyo Hospital mortuary, while the damaged vehicles were towed to a police station, Ayoade said.

Personnel of OYRTMA, the Federal Road Safety Corps and the police were deployed to the scene to coordinate rescue efforts, manage traffic and clear the wreckage.

A video of the incident showed the tanker’s container resting on top of the Micra, trapping its occupants inside. The tanker was later lifted to allow officials to retrieve the victims.

The crash caused heavy traffic congestion along the busy expressway, but Ayoade said the affected vehicles had been removed and traffic had been restored.