Ogun records first petrol tanker tragedy on its flyovers

Ogun State recorded its first petrol tanker fire on Tuesday since the flyovers were constructed by the immediate past administration of Gov. Ibikunle Amosun few years ago.

A petrol-laden tanker had climbed the Kuto bridge in Abeokuta on the Sagamu-Abeokuta highway and it was descending at the foot of the bridge, it fell spilling its content and exploding few minutes after.

At least, three people were roasted while six persons were injured, according to the spokesman for the state traffic management agency, TRACE, Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi.

“We cannot confirm how many men or women lost their lives at the scene of the accident.

“Six cars and the tanker itself were burnt while six motorcycles were also burnt,” he said.

Akinbiyi said the injured were being treated at the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba and the State Hospital, Ijaiye.

On the cause(s) of the accident, he attributed it to brake failure but said articulated vehicles are barred from overhead bridges.

A witness said the explosion occurred at 9.00am which caused panic at nearby CBN and GTBank with several people scampering for safety.

Persecondnews reports that Abeokuta, the state capital, boasts of about six overhead bridges.

Amosun also constructed such bridges in Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Agbado in the state.