A festive New Year’s carnival turned to tragedy in Ikare Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State as an out-of-control bus plowed into the revelers, leaving one dead and two injured on Monday.
The carnival was underway along the local roads, with youths dancing and celebrating the start of 2024, when a bus driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the procession.
According to eyewitness reports, the bus veered wildly off the road without warning and rammed directly into a group of carnival-goers, sending bodies flying.
“This incident that happened yesterday (Monday ) evening, affected youths from the Olokelede area of Ikare who were holding a procession from Ekan to Okela while the accident happened in the Sago area of the community,” as quoted by the punch ng.
“The two victims were seriously injured and were taken to the hospital but one of them gave up the ghost this (Tuesday) morning,” the eyewitness said.
One young man was declared dead at the scene. Two other victims, a man and woman, were rushed to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.
Authorities have opened an investigation into the deadly incident.
According to the sector commander of the FRSC, Ezekiel Son’Allah, the crash was caused by speed violation on the part of the driver of the vehicle, while denyinhg any report on death.
“Only two were injured and no one died in the accident,” the FRSC boss stated
The injured victims were taken to Inland Hospital, Ikare for medical attention while the crashed vehicle was taken to FRSC base, Ikare for safekeeping.1”
The shocking crash cast a pall over New Year celebrations in the community. What began as a jubilant carnival event ended in tragedy and grief. The families of the deceased and injured are reeling from their abrupt loss.
Officials commended the quick actions of first responders and vowed a full inquiry to determine factors behind the bus driver’s loss of control. In the meantime, the investigation continues as residents mourn the carnival accident victims.
