Eleven people lost their lives when a DAF trailer suffered brake failure and ploughed into two Volkswagen Golf cars and five motorcycles at Tashan Magarya Junction on the Gombe–Billiri road, Gombe State, on Thursday, October 22. The crash also left numerous occupants with serious injuries and the wreckage was later handed to police for investigation.
**What caused the crash?**
The incident report issued by the [Federal Road Safety Corps](https://www.frsc.gov.ng/) indicated that the trailer’s brakes gave way while the driver was heading north from Gombe toward Yola. The loss of braking power caused the heavy vehicle to veer off its lane and strike the two cars and the motorcycles that were travelling in the opposite direction.
**When and how did responders act?**
According to the FRSC, a distress call was received at 5:32 p.m. on Thursday. Rescue teams arrived at the scene within two minutes and immediately began extracting the victims from the mangled vehicles. The injured were then rushed to the [Federal Medical Centre, Kumo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Medical_Centre_(Nigeria)) for emergency care.
**Who were the victims and what injuries were reported?**
The collision involved eight vehicles in total – the trailer, two cars and five motorcycles. Eleven occupants died on the spot, while the survivors suffered a range of injuries, including compound fractures, deep lacerations and extensive bruising.
**What steps followed the rescue operation?**
After the victims were evacuated, the FRSC handed over the damaged trailer, cars and motorcycles to the Motor Traffic Division of the police in Kumo for further forensic examination and any necessary legal action.
A spokesperson for the FRSC said, "Preliminary findings point to a complete brake failure on the trailer, which forced the driver to lose control and collide with the other vehicles," underscoring the need for regular vehicle maintenance on busy inter‑state routes.
The tragedy highlights ongoing road safety challenges in [Gombe State](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gombe_State) and underscores the importance of stringent vehicle inspections, especially for heavy‑load carriers operating on major highways.
Authorities have urged motorists to ensure their vehicles are road‑worthy and to report any mechanical issues promptly to avoid similar disasters in the future.