By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Anambra Sector Command has confirmed the death of eight persons and injuries to six others following a fatal crash along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.
This was confirmed in a statement issued by the Sector Public Education Officer, RC Margaret B. Onabe, on Monday, in which she also explained that the accident occurred at about 9:00 p.m. on Sunday near the New Terminal close to Ukpo Junction, and involved a Mack tanker without a registration number and a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number EKP375XM.
According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that the bus, which was travelling from Abakaliki to Onitsha, was speeding and dangerously overtook before colliding with the tanker, which was heading towards Awka on a single carriageway.
The crash, according to the statement, resulted in eight deaths — four males and four females — while six others, including two males and four females, sustained various degrees of injuries.
It added that rescue operations were promptly carried out by the FRSC team from RS5.33 Nteje, who rushed the injured to the hospital for treatment, while the remains of the deceased were deposited at Jerusalem Mortuary, Nteje, after a doctor’s confirmation.
The FRSC Anambra Sector Command extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured victims a speedy recovery. It also reiterated the need for drivers to always ensure the road is clear before overtaking and to maintain a minimum safe speed to avoid such tragic incidents.
Reacting, FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Corps Commander Joyce Nnennaya Alexander, emphasized that drivers must ensure they drive at a minimum safe speed and only overtake when the road is clear.
It was further gathered that the Sector Commander visited the crash scene, inspected the damaged vehicles kept at Nteje Police Station, and met with the Chief of Taskforce, NUPENG; after which she also visited the surviving victims at Regina Caeli Hospital and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital to assess their condition and offer moral support.
The FRSC Anambra Sector Command reassured the public of its commitment to promoting road safety, enforcing traffic regulations, and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure safer roads for all users.
