A total of 12 persons were confirmed dead on Thursday while 30 others sustained various degrees of injuries in an accident involving a trailer at the Hawan-Kibo community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Eyewitnesses said that the articulated vehicle was loaded with bags of grains and human beings and was descending a hill on the dilapidated road when it crashed into a ditch.
It was gathered that when the trailer, which was moving out of Jos, crashed it spilled its contents in the ditch, leaving many of the victims dead on the spot.
The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Plateau state, Mr Godwin Alphonsus, confirmed the accident to PUNCH Online in Jos on Thursday.
He said: “It was a lone crash. The trailer was carrying bags of grains and human beings. It had a brake failure and crashed into a ditch while ascending a hill. The accident happened in the afternoon on Thursday.
“Since then, our men in Hawan-Kibo have been trying to rescue the victims. From the records so far, 11 persons died on the spot while 30 persons have been rescued and taken to the hospital.
“Only this evening, I learnt that one of the injured victims has also given up, bringing the number of deceased persons to 12.”
The sector commander appealed to motorists to be extra vigilant while driving.
He said a situation whereby vehicles meant to carry loads are loaded with human beings at the same should be discouraged at all times.
“We have always told them to avoid carrying human beings with their loads. This is very dangerous and that is why people should avoid entering such vehicles for their safety,” he cautioned.