Two commuters lost their lives and several others sustained injuries after a chain-reaction road accident involving a fuel tanker and multiple vehicles near St. Louis College, close to the Polo Field Club Roundabout in Jos, Plateau State.
Eyewitnesses said the crash occurred when fully loaded tanker lost control and collided with several vehicles, leaving cars crushed, passengers injured, and onlookers scrambling for safety.
According to residents at the scene, the tanker allegedly suffered brake failure while descending a slope, causing the driver to lose control and plough into vehicles ahead.
Emergency responders confirmed that at least 16 people sustained varying degrees of injuries and were promptly evacuated to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention, while the bodies of the deceased commuters were recovered.
Confirming the development on Monday, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Plateau State said its operatives responded swiftly after receiving a distress call around 6:49 p.m.
“Our personnel moved in immediately after the alert, rescued the injured victims, and ensured they were taken to Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Bingham University Teaching Hospital for treatment,” the FRSC Public Education Officer, Peter Longsan, said.
Longsan disclosed that two adult males died on the spot due to the severity of the impact, adding that their remains were deposited at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital mortuary.
Multiple security and emergency agencies were deployed to secure the area, manage traffic, and prevent secondary incidents, as the crash scene was cordoned off and traffic diverted.
“Thankfully, there was no fuel leakage from the tanker, which helped avert what could have been a major fire disaster,” Longsan stated.
Agencies involved in the operation included the FRSC, Nigerian Police, Nigerian Army, Federal Fire Service, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Operation Rainbow, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, and other support groups.
Commending the coordinated response, the FRSC Sector Commander in Plateau State, Olajide Mogaji, urged motorists to exercise caution, avoid distractions, and promptly report emergencies via the FRSC toll-free number 122, especially during the festive and New Year period.
