•FRSC officials rescuing victims of the accident
The number of fatalities from Sunday’s accident along Saminaka Road in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State has risen to 25.
This is according to a statement by the sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Kaduna State, Corps Commander Kabiru Nadabo, who said that ten additional victims of the accident died at the hospital where they were receiving treatment.
The Federal Road Safety Corps had earlier yesterday confirmed the death of 15 children from the car accident which occurred while the victims were travelling to celebrate Eld El Maulud.
According to the FRSC sector commander in Kaduna State, the J5 bus with registration number NSL 08 AA, Carrying 63 passengers mostly children, lost control due to over speeding and Overloading and crashed onto a DAF Trailer with registration number DKA 454 ‘XY.
•Scene of the accident
The FRSC had reported that 15 children died on the spot while 48 others sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to Comprehensive Hospital Saminaka, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano and Jos Teaching Hospital for urgent medical attention.
However, yesterday evening, the Corps confirmed that 10 additional victims died due to complications from injuries they sustained as a result of the accident, thereby bringing the number of deaths to 25 out of the 65 passengers involved.
“The town of Saminaka was filled with travellers mostly to celebrate the Maulud festival, when a J5 Bus with registration number NSL 08 AA carrying sixty three (63) people on board crashes onto a DAF Trailer with registration number DKA 454 XY. The incident occurred at LEA Primary School lere.
“Furthermore, initial investigation revealed that the driver or J5 who was on high speed lost control of his vehicle which was loaded with people heading to the Festival and crashed onto the Trailer. Instantly, fifteen (15) people were confirmed dead on the spot while forty eight (48) people who sustained various injuries were conveyed to Comprehensive Hospital Saminaka for treatment. However, due to the nature of the crash and the injuries sustained, some of the victims were moved to ABU Shika, University of Jos Teaching Hospital and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital respectively for proper and comprehensive medical attention.
“Sadly, at about 18:45 hrs today (16/9/2024), the command received an update that ten(10) more victims had died due to injuries sustained. This is truly sad and tragic. The total amount of the deceased has risen to twenty-five (25) people out of the 63 people involved.
“I want to express the Corps profound condolence to the families of all those who have lost their dear ones in this fatal accident. I also want to reiterate FRSC stance and position on Overloading of humans or goods and excess speeding. In this case both have contributed to the fatal calamity witnessed.
“These are avoidable, hence our resolve to continously engage motorists on safety ethics and general Road behaviour. FRSC Kaduna is poised to ensure the overall safety of motorists in Kaduna and beyond,” the statement read in part.
