No fewer than five persons have been confirmed dead following a fatal road traffic crash involving a gas-laden tanker and a commercial passenger vehicle in Lawanti, Akko Local Government, Gombe State.
The incident occurred yesterday, along the Lawanti axis, near the Brigadier Zakari Maimalari Airport, Gombe. Confirming the accident, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) attributed the crash to reckless driving by the driver of the commercial vehicle.
The Gombe State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Samson Kaura, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the incident.
According to him, preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the passenger vehicle, who was travelling from Gombe to Bauchi, deviated from his lane and collided with the oncoming gas tanker heading towards Gombe, triggering the fatal crash, resulting in instant fatalities.
“The driver’s action led to an unavoidable collision, causing the tanker to crush the vehicle and resulting in the immediate death of five occupants,” the sector commander stated.
Describing the accident as tragic and avoidable, Kaura urged motorists to exercise restraint, observe traffic rules, and maintain lane discipline to prevent further loss of lives and property.
He added that FRSC personnel promptly activated emergency response measures, including the evacuation of the deceased and the restoration of normal traffic flow along the affected route.
