By Kazeem Waris
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of two persons in a road accident at Sabon Barki, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Sunday, while three others sustained injuries.
The crash, which occurred at about 4:20 p.m., involved a commercial tricycle, popularly known as Keke NAPEP, conveying a family returning from church service, and another vehicle.
The FRSC Public Education Officer in Plateau State, Mr Peter Longsan, confirmed the fatalities, saying the two male victims were trapped beneath the vehicle following the crash.
“The accident was a bad one. Two persons died, a male adult and another male; they were trapped under the vehicle. The bus driver that caused the accident ran away. It is rather unfortunate,” Longsan said.
He urged motorists to exercise caution and comply with traffic regulations to prevent avoidable road accidents.
An eyewitness, Mr Kefas Gyang, narrated that the tricycle caught fire following a collision with another vehicle.
“I was passing by on my way from work when I saw people crying. I went closer to find out what had happened and saw people trying to rescue the victims,” Gyang said.
He explained that efforts to rescue those trapped in the burning tricycle were hampered by the intensity of the fire.
“But the fire was too much for us to handle. It was beyond our strength, and we could not do much to rescue them from the burning tricycle,” he said.
Gyang, however, clarified that he did not witness the actual collision, saying he arrived at the scene after the incident had occurred.
“When the other vehicle hit the Keke, I was not there. I only came across the scene afterwards and saw people crying,” he added.
The eyewitness also alleged that the driver of the other vehicle fled the scene after the crash.
The accident reportedly left the wife of one of the deceased with a broken leg, while two children and the tricycle rider were taken to hospital for treatment.
