Three athletes dead, several others injured as FRSC van crashes in Kebbi

Reports indicate that three athletes have been confirmed dead while scores sustained severe injuries after a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) van crashed in Kebbi State on Thursday.

It was gathered that the FRSC van was conveying the victims to Gamji, along Zuru-Rijau road when it had the accident.

The athletes took off from the Zuru Township Stadium in the FRSC van to Gamji, a starting point for the annual marathon race of about 8 kilometres to the finishing line back in the Township Stadium Zuru.

Sources say the van somersaulted with the athletes in it, Killing three of them while many sustained injuries.

Some of the victims were rushed to Army Barracks Clinic, Zuru, while others were taken to Martha Bamaiyi General Hospital, Zuru where three of them died.

The deceased were identified as; Hauwa Ibrahim, Abdulrahman Abubakar, and Bello Lawal Saidu.

Assistant Superintendent Police (ASP) Didiye Dada of the Police Motor Traffic Department (MTD), Zuru, who confirmed the incident, said the unit commander alerted them of the accident when it occurred on Thursday morning.

She said; “The FRSC van and an ambulance were conveying the athletes to the marathon staring point in Gamji. While on their way the rear shaft of the van pulled out, which resulted to summersault of the van where many were severely injured, three others died in the hospital.

“As I speak with you five of the FRSC personnel including the driver are among those injured are also receiving treatment in the hospital.”