At least five persons sustained injuries while nine passengers reportedly escaped unhurt in a road accident involving an 18-passenger Toyota Hiace bus and two parked vehicles at Oba-Ile First Gate, Akure North Local Government area of Ondo State, on Monday.
The accident, which occurred at about 2:45 p.m., involved an 18-passenger Toyota Hiace bus with number plate LAM 256 LG, Kogi, and two parked vehicles with number plate AKR 914 FT and DV 724 EKY.
According to eyewitnesses, the bus, which was travelling from Lagos, reportedly skidded off the road and rammed into the two parked vehicles while attempting to avoid another vehicle that suddenly obstructed its path.
An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, alleged that the accident was triggered by the reckless driving of the driver of a Dyna vehicle, who reportedly lost control of the vehicle and fled the scene.
Five passengers were said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries and were subsequently taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.
One of the passengers, Mr Austin Akoji, who spoke with, however, said there were about nine passengers in the bus when it crashed into the two parked vehicles.
Akoji said five of the passengers were taken to hospital, while others, including himself, sustained minor injuries.
The three vehicles involved in the crash were reportedly badly damaged.
Security personnel were seen at the scene assisting with the rescue operation and making arrangements to tow the damaged vehicles to the police station.
The cause of the accident could not be independently confirmed as of the time of filing this report.