A heavy-duty truck with registration number Kaduna DKA 738 XB crashed into a residential building in the Okete community, Ohimini LGA, Benue State, in the early hours of Thursday, claiming 14 lives; among whom are three Muslims who were praying by the roadside.
The truck, en route to Abuja via the Otukpo-Oweto Road, reportedly veered off course after the driver lost control, allegedly due to brake failure. The crash resulted in six deaths at the scene, including individuals sleeping inside the building, and the three worshippers outside.
Sources have indicated that what started as an initial report of nine people losing their lives in a terrible truck accident has now tragically increased to a total of 14 deaths. This increase came about after five individuals who were initially counted as survivors unfortunately passed away due to their injuries while receiving medical care at the hospital.
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On that fateful day, community members were abruptly awakened by the deafening noise of the crash that occurred when the truck collided with a solid structure in their neighborhood. These brave local residents quickly sprang into action, showing great courage and compassion as they worked to rescue several individuals who were trapped in the wreckage. Their timely intervention helped to prevent even more casualties from occurring, highlighting the strength of community spirit in a moment of crisis.
A witness to the accident described the scene and suggested that the truck may have experienced a failure in its braking system. This failure could have caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, leading to the devastating incident that unfolded that morning. The witness expressed the sadness that the community is feeling, stating that it is indeed a tragic day for all of them.
Adding to the heartache, it has been reported that both the driver of the truck and his assistant are still missing in the aftermath of the crash, leaving many in the community worried about their fate and the impact of this incident on everyone involved.