No fewer than nineteen (19) people have died and 34 others injured in an accident along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

The accident according to security reports occurred on Sunday at the Kateri axis of the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

The Kaduna state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, explained that the crash, involved a commercial DAF trailer caused by a combination of over speeding and tyre explosion.

According to the Commissioner, “Security agencies have reported that 19 people died in a ghastly road traffic crash at the Kateri axis of the Kaduna-Abuja highway on Sunday.

“According to the report, the crash, which occurred late on Sunday evening, involved a commercial DAF trailer and was caused by a combination of speeding, and an exploding tyre, leading to a loss of control, which caused the vehicle to veer into the bush.

“A total of fifty-three (53) people were involved in the crash; 16 of these died on the spot, with three others later confirmed dead. Thirty-four (34) sustained injuries which ranged from bruises and cuts to dislocations and head injuries. They were evacuated from the scene by personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps.

“The survivors are receiving treatment in hospital.”