Motorists escape death as Camry plunges into ditch in Ondo

By Boye Oyeyemi

A driver travelling to Abuja and his passenger narrowly escaped death after their Toyota Camry somersaulted into a roadside excavation at Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The accident occurred along the Ikare route after the driver negotiated a hilly section of the university community, where contractors are constructing a dual carriageway.

Recounting the incident, the shaken driver said he lost control of the vehicle before it somersaulted into the ditch. “I was on my way to Abuja when the car somersaulted into the ditch,” he said.

An eyewitness, Kayode Abodunrin, alleged that an 18-seater Hiace bus struck the Camry as it somersaulted into the excavation. He added that the bus driver reportedly fled the scene after the crash.

Meanwhile, some residents blamed the road construction contractors for allegedly exposing motorists to danger by leaving excavated sections of the road without adequate warning signs or protective barriers.

A resident, who identified himself simply as Tope Abiodun, claimed that at least five people had died in accidents linked to the condition of the road.

Abiodun called on the contractors to urgently improve safety measures around the construction site to prevent further accidents and protect road users.

The incident has renewed concerns among residents about safety along the road, with calls for adequate warning signs and protective barriers around excavated sections to prevent similar crashes.