It was learnt that the supporters were returning to Jos after a rally in Pankshin LGA when a truck conveying them crashed in Panyam community of the council area
A resident of Panyam Community, Joy Stephen, who witnessed the accident, told The PUNCH on Saturday that several persons died instantly while others sustained injuries.
Stephen said, “It was around 4:30pm that the accident happened.
“The truck was loaded with young boys and girls, heading to Jos. The occupants were the PDP supporters who were returning after their rally in Pankshin.
” Unfortunately, when they got near a bridge in Panyam community, I don’t know what happened but the truck fell down killing some people while others were injured. The victims were being evacuated to the hospital when we got there.
“The accident was rather unfortunate because the rally they attended was very successful.”
A statement from the PDP governorship candidate’s media team on Saturday evening and signed by Mangna Wamyil also confirmed the accident.
The statement said, “On a sad note, a truck conveying some supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party from the governorship campaign flag-off and zonal rally of the central zone, Plateau State, in Pankshin, had an accident this evening after the rally, around Jwak Village, just before Panyam Bridge, Mangu Local Government Area.
“The supporters who are mostly young people, sustained injuries of varying proportions, while some regrettably lost their lives.
“The governorship candidate, Caleb Mutfwang, is deeply saddened by the unfortunate event, and is currently involved in evacuating those severely injured from different hospitals in Mangu to Jos, where they would hopefully receive better attention and care.
“While we appreciate all first responders who are currently assisting with the evacuation effort, our thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected by the sad event.
“May the souls of those we lost rest in peace.
The PUNCH reports that the Panyam accident was the second invo