Train crushes hairdresser, motorcyclist in Kwara

A nursing mother, identified simply as Mama Kafila, and a commercial motorcyclist (okada rider) were said to have been crushed to death on Sunday by a train around Olunlade in the Ilorin-Offa route  in Kwara State.

Sources said the woman, who was a hairdresser, was being conveyed by the unnamed okada rider to buy ice blocks for sale when they met their deaths.

Our correspondent gathered that the train dragged the two victims to a distance of about 100 metres after it hit them.

It was learnt that policemen from the Ganmo Police Station later evacuated the two lifeless bodies.

The train was said to have been going from Ilorin to Lagos.

There were different accounts to the cause of the accident which occurred around 10am.

A resident, who identified herself as Alhaja Musilkat Biodun, said the okada rider ignored warnings and made to dash across the rail track.

She  said, “There was  a second motorcyclist, who stopped for the train, but the the okada rider conveying Mama Kafila threw caution to the wind, dashed across the rail and was hit by the train.”

Another eyewitness, who declined to mention his name, said the late motorcyclist wore an earpiece and could not hear the blaring of horn from the train as he moved across the rail before he was hit by the train.

The Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ajayi Okasanmi, said the command would investigate the cause of the accident.

The District Public Relations Officer, Western Zone, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Ibadan, Mr. Calistus Unyimadu confirmed the accident.

He said the train crew members were not responsible for the accident and blamed the dead okada rider for not being cautious.

He also advised motorists, okada riders and the public to be more safety-conscious, especially when crossing the rail.

He said, “The crew members said the drivers of the train blew the horn. That place where the accident happened is an illegal level crossing. Our drivers normally blow horn. Everybody stopped, but the man did not stop.

“The drivers did not even know of the accident as the man hit the train by the side.  People later alerted the drivers to the accident.

“We have been advising people that any time they are approaching level crossing, they should show caution.”

Punch