An Abuja-bound driver and his passenger narrowly escaped death after their Toyota Camry somersaulted into a ditch dug by contractors handling the dual carriageway project in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government area of Ondo State.
The accident occurred on Sunday along the Ikare route after the vehicle negotiated a hilly section of the university community.
The visibly shaken driver told Hope Newspaper that he was travelling to Abuja when the car lost control and somersaulted into the ditch.
“I was on my way to Abuja when the car somersaulted into the ditch,” he said.
An eyewitness, Kayode Abodunrin, alleged that an 18-seater Hiace bus hit the Toyota Camry as it somersaulted into the ditch.
Abodunrin added that the bus driver fled the scene immediately after the incident.
Other passers-by blamed the road construction workers, accusing them of leaving excavated sections of the road uncovered and exposing motorists to danger.
They called on the contractors to take urgent safety measures around the construction site to prevent further accidents.
A resident, who identified himself simply as Lekan, alleged that at least five people had passed away in accidents linked to the condition of the road.
“We have lost no fewer than five people because of what is happening here. The contractors should not dig ditches and leave them uncovered without adequate warning signs or protective measures,” Lekan said.
