Two separate auto crashes that occurred in Kogi State has left one person dead, leaving six others with various degrees of injuries.
Eyewitness reports said a collision between a tricycle and a commercial motorcycle, Okada, flung the rider in front of an oncoming articulated vehicle, which instantly crushed him to death within the Lokoja metropolis.
Corps Commander Stephen Dawulung, Kogi FRSC Sector Commander, who confirmed the incident, said the motorcyclist’s body had been deposited at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Lokoja.
Dawulung described the incident as “unfortunate,” given how it happened, leaving no chance for the deceased to escape the oncoming truck when he fell off his motorcycle.
He lamented the wreckless attitude of tricycle and motorcycle riders on the state’s highways that has caused the death and injury of many innocent people.
“Most times, you see them competing on the roads for no just cause but only to put their lives and those of their passengers at risk.
“The result of such bad road usage has always been auto crashes and jeopardizing lives,” the commander said.
The Sector Commander commiserated with the victim’s family and advised motorcyclists to adhere to stipulated speed limits, avoid contests with other vehicles and observe safety protocols such as the use of helmets to eradicate the risk of being involved in crashes.
Dawulung said that the six persons that escaped death were not left without injuries when their vehicle lost control and summer sault into the bush.
“My officers, who were at hand shortly after the incident, rushed the victims to the hospital for medical treatment, ” he said.
He said that the incident at Navy base checking point Banda, along Koton Karfe -Lokoja road on Monday evening, resulted from speeding.
The sector commander warned motorists against non-observance of traffic rules and regulations and speeding during the rainy season, whereby brakes are hardly effective.
“With the onset of the rains, road surfaces are normally slippery. This situation is normally complicated by poor visibility when driving in the rain.
“Drivers should therefore avoid speed to enable them have firm control over their vehicles at emergency times, ” he admonished.
