Tragedy struck Tuesday night as two separate road accidents on the Benin-Asaba Highway claimed five lives and left 10 others critically injured. The incidents occurred along the Issele-Uku and Onicha-Ugbo axis, with excessive speed and driver fatigue cited as likely causes.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that one of the accidents involved a Sienna minivan that somersaulted multiple times after veering off the road. The crash reportedly occurred at 7:40 PM, leaving a family of four among the victims.
“The vehicle was speeding when it lost control and flipped repeatedly. The driver died instantly, while his wife and two children sustained severe injuries and were rushed to the hospital,” an eyewitness recounted.
The second accident resulted in one death and several injuries, with survivors receiving medical attention at nearby hospitals.
Delta State Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Sector Commander Fredrick Ogidan confirmed the crashes on Wednesday.
“In the first accident, one person lost their life, while five others were rescued. In the second crash, four people died, but five survivors were saved,” Ogidan stated.
He attributed the accidents to driver fatigue and excessive speed, emphasizing the dangers of overworking and neglecting rest.
“Many drivers prioritize financial gains, leading to exhaustion. While the road conditions are adequate, speed and fatigue remain leading causes of these tragic incidents,” Ogidan added.
Commending his team’s swift response, Ogidan explained that their timely intervention helped save many lives.
“First aid was administered at our clinic before transferring the victims to hospitals. Without our quick action, the death toll could have been higher,” he said.
The tragic events highlight the importance of road safety and adherence to speed limits to prevent similar occurrences.