Five children from the same family have died after a water tanker rammed into a commercial tricycle conveying them to school in Gombe metropolis.

The accident occurred on Tuesday morning near Kanady Academy, along APC Square in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) of the state capital.

The deceased were identified as Maryam Mansir Adamu and Usman Mansir Adamu, both Primary Five pupils of Jekadafari Primary School; Hauwau Mansir Adamu of Government Junior Secondary School (GJSS), Jekadafari; Aliyu Mansir Adamu of Government Day Secondary School (GDSS), Ahmadu Gombe; and Fatima Mansir Adamu, whose school was not specified.

Three other children were injured in the crash and taken to the hospital for treatment.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander in Gombe State, Samson Kaura, confirmed the incident, saying personnel of the corps arrived at the scene after the initial rescue operation had been completed.

Kaura said FRSC officials subsequently visited the hospital to ascertain the number of casualties.

A source at the Specialist Hospital, Gombe, said the injured victims and the drivers involved in the accident were taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, for medical attention.

The bodies of the five deceased children were deposited at the mortuary.

Reacting to the tragedy, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya described the incident as heartbreaking, saying the loss of five children from one family was a devastating blow to their parents, relatives, schools and the entire state.

In a statement issued by his Director-General of Press Affairs, Ismaila Uba Misilli, the governor said the children had died at a tender age when they should have been pursuing their education and looking forward to a promising future.

He expressed sympathy with the bereaved family and the Jekadafari community, describing the deaths as an irreparable loss.

The governor also prayed for the speedy recovery of the three injured children receiving medical attention.

Yahaya called on motorists to exercise caution and responsibility, warning against reckless driving and other dangerous practices that put innocent lives at risk.

He urged drivers to obey traffic regulations, maintain safe speeds, avoid dangerous manoeuvres and ensure their vehicles were roadworthy.

The governor further stressed the need for heightened vigilance when transporting schoolchildren and other vulnerable passengers, urging road users to make safety their priority.

He extended his condolences to the bereaved family, the management and staff of the affected schools, the pupils’ classmates and the wider community.

He prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the deceased children Aljannatul Firdaus and give their parents and other family members the strength to bear the loss. (Daily Trust)