Bus crash on Ondo bridge leaves several passengers injured

By Boye Oyeyemi

Several passengers have been injured after an 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus crashed into a bridge under construction at Ayegunle-Oka in Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The accident reportedly occurred on Friday, leaving many occupants of the vehicle with varying degrees of injuries. The victims were said to have been taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.

Eyewitnesses blamed the crash on the absence of adequate warning signs and safety barriers around the construction site, saying motorists were not properly alerted to the obstruction ahead.

A passerby, identified simply as Samson, expressed concern over the frequency of accidents at the location, alleging that the unfinished bridge had become a danger zone since construction work began.

He said, “This is becoming a serious concern because several accidents have occurred here since the construction started. The government needs to intervene before more lives are lost.”

Samson recalled that some motorcyclists had reportedly lost their lives in a similar accident weeks earlier after crashing into the bridge, urging the state government to compel the contractor to install visible warning signs and appropriate safety barriers.

Another resident, Ayobami, called for urgent government intervention and the speedy completion of the project to prevent further accidents and hardship for road users.

He said the contractor should be directed to intensify work on the bridge while ensuring adequate safety measures were provided to protect motorists and other commuters until the project was completed.