By Izunna Okafor, Awka
A lone road crash has claimed the lives of four men along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway in Awka, Anambra State, after the Toyota Camry in which they were travelling reportedly lost control, rammed into a culvert and somersaulted into a roadside drainage.
The accident, which happened in the early hours of Monday, November 2, opposite the Old Government House, Awka, involved five male occupants of a white Toyota Camry with registration number ASB 264 AV. Only one of the five occupants survived, although he sustained injuries and was taken to hospital.
Confirming the incident, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Sector Command, said preliminary findings indicated that excessive speed was responsible for the crash, as the vehicle was allegedly on a high speed and consequently veered off the expressway before hitting the culvert and overturning.
The crash left four of the occupants with fatal injuries. By the time the FRSC rescue personnel arrived, the victims had reportedly been taken away for medical attention, with the first point of evacuation being Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka.
Three of the occupants were confirmed dead at the teaching hospital, while their remains were deposited in its mortuary. The fourth victim was later taken to Apex Hospital, Awka, where he was also confirmed dead.
In a statement issued by the Anambra State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, the FRSC disclosed that the fifth occupant survived the crash but sustained injuries and was evacuated to a hospital for treatment.
The rescue operation also led to the recovery of the damaged Toyota Camry, which was towed to the FRSC Sector Command. Among the items retrieved from the scene were N185,300 in cash and a car key holder.
Asekhauno described the incident as unfortunate and extended the command’s condolences to the families of the four deceased occupants, while wishing the injured survivor a speedy recovery.
She used the occasion to caution motorists against reckless driving and excessive speeding, particularly during the early hours of the day when poor visibility could make it more difficult to respond to sudden dangers on the road.
The Sector Commander also urged drivers to observe prescribed speed limits, maintain proper control of their vehicles and ensure that approved speed-limiting devices and other functional safety equipment were installed.
The FRSC warned that driving at excessive speed leaves motorists with less time to react to unexpected situations and could turn road incidents into fatal crashes. The Command therefore called on drivers and other road users to exercise caution and make safety a priority whenever they travel.
