The accident involving a Toyota Sienna and an 18-seater Mazda passenger bus occurred on Sunday, October 30, also claimed the lives of two siblings returning to school, Punch reports.
According to eyewitnesses, the accident occurred when one of the tires on the Mazda bus burst.
Punch reports that the driver of the bus who was driving at full speed, immediately lost control of the vehicle as soon as the tire burst, before it collided with the Sienna heading for Osogbo.
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The bus reportedly burst into flames upon the collision, with seven persons including a couple and two siblings burning to death.
No less than 11 passengers who escaped with their lives, suffered varying degrees of injuries in the crash.
An eyewitness who identified himself simply as Femi, said, “The accident was caused by the driver of the Mazda bus because he lost the control of the bus when the front tyre burst. He collided with a Toyota Sienna that was coming towards Osogbo.
“The driver of the Sienna and his wife died on the spot, while five passengers in the bus were burnt beyond recognition. Two children of the same parent were also said to be among those burnt to death in the bus.
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“We could not help them immediately because of the fire. It was a gory sight.”
According to another eyewitness, the injured passengers would have been consumed by the flames but for the timely intervention of other motorists who assisted them out of the vehicle before it was engulfed in flames.
Punch reports that the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Osun State Command, Mr. Umar Ibrahim, said that those that suffered injuries in the crash were taken to the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital, Ile Ife.
Ibrahim pleaded with motorists to always ensure that their vehicles were in good condition before undertaking any journey.
