9 Die, 5 Injured In Gombe Road Crash

At least nine people have lost their lives in a road accident that occurred on Kaltungo–Cham Road in Kaluwa community, Gombe State.

The incident followed a collision involving a trailer and a commercial Sharon bus.

Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Gombe State, Samson Kaura, confirmed the incident on Monday, saying the crash occurred at about 8:33 a.m. in Kaltungo Local Government Area.

Kaura, who spoke with journalists, said 18 people were involved in the crash, with five passengers sustaining varying degrees of injuries, while four others escaped unhurt.

He said the injured victims were rushed to the General Hospital, Kaltungo, for medical attention, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.

According to the FRSC, preliminary investigations attributed the crash to excessive speed and brake failure, compounded by the sloppy nature of the road.

“The trailer was descending at high speed on a slope when it lost control and rammed into the Sharon bus from behind, causing the bus to somersault,” he explained.

He warned motorists to exercise caution, particularly on hilly and winding roads, stressing that speeding significantly increases the risk of fatal crashes.

“We have consistently advised drivers to avoid excessive speed, especially on roads with difficult terrain. Motorists must drive at a speed they can control to prevent needless loss of lives and property.”

The Sector Commander further urged drivers to conduct thorough vehicle checks before embarking on journeys, especially during the ongoing Christmas season when traffic volumes are high.