A punctured tyre triggered a fatal road crash and fire on a highway in Kwara State, with the incident resulting in loss of life and highlighting the dangers of tyre-related failures on major roads.
A punctured tyre has been blamed for a fatal road accident that left one person dead and several others injured on the Oko-Olowo Expressway in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The commercial bus, which was carrying 21 passengers, reportedly developed the tyre fault while in motion around Iye-Maja Junction on Sunday, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle subsequently somersaulted and caught fire.
The Kwara State Fire Service said it received a distress call and arrived at the scene at about 6:35pm, where firefighters immediately commenced rescue operations.
According to the Service, passengers were evacuated from the burning vehicle, while those who sustained injuries were taken to a hospital for treatment. One passenger, however, was confirmed dead in the incident.
The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, urged motorists, particularly commercial drivers, to ensure their vehicles were properly maintained and roadworthy before embarking on journeys.
He stressed the need for regular checks on tyres, braking systems, electrical components and other critical parts of vehicles, noting that early detection of faults could help prevent major road emergencies.
