The death toll from the tragic auto crash in Kaduna has risen to 40, with the majority of victims being children.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, involved a J5 bus transporting Muslims to Eid-el-Maulud celebrations. The bus, overloaded and speeding, lost control and collided with an articulated vehicle along Saminaka Road in Lere Local Government Area.
Initially, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) reported 25 fatalities and 48 injuries. However, additional deaths occurred as more victims succumbed to their injuries in hospitals, bringing the confirmed death toll to 40.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani expressed his profound sorrow, stating, “This is a tragic loss of young lives, and we will do everything possible to support the affected families.”
He has directed the state Commissioner for Health to ensure that the surviving children receive immediate and comprehensive medical care. Governor Sani also plans to personally reach out to the families of the deceased, showing his commitment to providing support during this difficult time.
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The accident happened around 1:00 pm on Sunday when the J5 bus, which was carrying 63 children, crashed into an oncoming articulated vehicle.
FRSC Kaduna Sector Commander, Corps Commander Kabiru Nadabo, confirmed the details of the incident, explaining, “The driver of the J5 bus lost control due to overspeeding, leading to the fatal crash. Fifteen children died instantly, while 48 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.” Nadabo further noted that 10 additional victims died later due to the severity of their injuries, increasing the death toll to 40.
Nadabo highlighted the critical importance of road safety, urging drivers to be cautious and adhere to speed limits to prevent such tragedies. “This accident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless driving. We urge drivers to be cautious and follow speed limits to avoid similar incidents.”
Due to the severity of their injuries, some victims were transferred to ABU Teaching Hospital in Shika, the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital for advanced medical care. The FRSC has launched an investigation into the crash.
“This accident is a wake-up call for all drivers to prioritize road safety. We will continue to educate drivers on the importance of safe driving practices. We must learn from this tragedy and work towards preventing such incidents in the future,” Nadabo emphasized.
“Our thoughts are with the families of the victims during this difficult time,” he added.
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