14 passengers burnt to death in Lagos-Ibadan expressway auto crash

Not less than 14 passengers, comprising 11 adults and three children, were burnt to death in an accident on Thursday.

The accident took place around the Long Bridge axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson of Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), confirmed the incident on Friday.

NAN reports that TRACE had earlier stated that an unspecified number of persons were burnt to death in the auto crash.

Giving an update on the incident, Akinbiyi said the accident involved a silver Toyota RAV 4 with registration number LND 13 GS, a silver Toyota Camry marked GGE 369 GJ, and a Mazda bus with an unidentified number.

The TRACE spokesman said the commercial Mazda bus was allegedly involved in wrongful overtaking before it hit a faulty Toyota RAV 4 that was parked.

Akinbiyi said 17 passengers were in the bus when the accident happened, and 14 persons were burnt to death beyond recognition.

“The burnt commercial bus was involved in wrongful overtaking before it hit a stationary vehicle (Toyota RAV 4), parked in the middle of the road due to breakdown, and also hit a Camry car,” he said.

“In the process, it lost control, somersaulting severally before it burst into flames.”

Akinbiyi said two victims who sustained injuries were rescued and taken to Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre, and one other to the General Hospital, Gbagada for treatment.