Nothing less than 19 people had passed away on Saturday following an auto crash on the Akure/Owo highway.

The passengers, who were burnt beyond recognition were said to be in transit to the northern part of the country through Ondo State where the auto crash broke out.

It was gathered that the auto crash broke out at the Oba-Ile axis of the road in Akure North Local Government Area of the state when a bus rammed into a truck.

According to an eyewitness, the auto crash also affected two other vehicles, which were also set ablaze after been connected.

He stated that the auto crash involved an 18-passenger bus with number plate; YLA 25 XU and a truck with the registration number; GG 873 XM

“The truck was coming from Owo end of the road. The driver lost control when he was trying to avoid a pothole. He swerved off to the other lane and collided with the bus, which was coming from Lagos, heading towards the northern part of the country.

“Immediately the two vehicles collided, they caught fire and burnt all the occupants of the bus. The victims were burnt beyond recognition.”

Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Femi Joseph reportedly affirmed that the bodies of the auto crash victims had been deposited at mortuary of the state Specialist Hospital, Akure.

“It was a case of a head-on collision when the truck wanted to avoid a pothole on the road. The driver and the motor boy of the truck survived the accident but we are yet to know their whereabouts,” he stated.