A punctured tyre has been identified as the cause of a fatal road crash involving a commercial bus on the Oko-Olowo Expressway in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Gatekeepers News reports that the accident, which occurred around Iye-Maja Junction on Sunday, reportedly involved a bus carrying 21 passengers.
The tyre allegedly developed a fault while the vehicle was in motion, causing the driver to lose control. The bus subsequently somersaulted before catching fire.
The Kwara State Fire Service said it received a distress call and arrived at the scene at about 6:35pm, immediately commencing rescue operations.
Firefighters evacuated passengers trapped in the burning vehicle, while those who sustained injuries were taken to a hospital for medical attention.
However, one passenger was confirmed dead in the accident.
The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, urged motorists, particularly commercial vehicle operators, to ensure their vehicles were properly maintained and roadworthy before embarking on journeys.
He advised drivers to carry out regular checks on tyres, braking systems, electrical components and other critical vehicle parts.
According to him, early detection and correction of mechanical faults could help prevent serious road crashes and other emergencies.
