Train derails in Abeokuta, 300 Passengers escape death

Over three hundred passengers on Wednesday night escaped death when a 12-coach Lagos-bound train rammed into a Nissan Cabstar pick-up at Odo-Eran, Lafenwa area of Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The collision, which occurred at 9am, saved the train from plunging into a gully created by flood which had washed away part of the rail track.

The flood, which was caused by the heavy rain in the state capital, had swept away the sand under the rail track.

The collision also prevented the train from reaching the damaged rail track.

When our correspondent visited the scene, many of the stranded passengers whose goods and luggage were inside the train, were seen loitering around the railway station.

An official of the Nigeria Railway Corporation at Lafenwa station, who pleaded anonymity, said the Principal Traffic Officer of the corporation, advised the management not to allow the train to cross the portion of the track washed away by flood.

Our correspondent also learnt that policemen from the state police command and other security agencies in the state provided security for the passengers to prevent attacks.