No fewer than seven journalists died on Monday in a ghastly motor accident in Gombe.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) bus conveying eleven journalists was said to have been involved in a lone accident.
The accident happened on Monday evening as the group was returning from a wedding ceremony in the Gombe South Senatorial District.
Confirming the incident, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Gombe sector said seven journalists died in the accident while four others were injured.
The journalists, whose identities were yet to be unveiled as of press time, travelled to celebrate with a colleague from the Nigerian Television Authority.
Speaking in a telephone interview, the Gombe State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Samson Kaura, said 11 people were in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
“From the information available to us, 11 people were involved..
“Sadly, seven lost their lives, while four others sustained injuries,” he said.
Kaura explained that preliminary investigations suggest the crash was a lone accident, with a possible tyre burst suspected as the cause.
“It appears to be a lone accident. Investigations are ongoing, but we suspect a tyre burst may have occurred, after which the driver may have applied the brakes suddenly,” he noted.
He added that FRSC rescue teams responded immediately and continued operations at the scene while assessments were still being carried out.
“The injured have been taken to nearby health facilities for treatment, and a detailed report will be released once investigations are concluded,” Kaura said.
