Omotayo Adigun
Tragedy struck along the Nteje-Awka road in Anambra State on Sunday night, as a fatal road accident claimed the lives of eight individuals and left six others with varying degrees of injuries.
The crash occurred near the New Terminal, Ukpo Junction, in the Dunukofia Local Government Area at approximately 9:00 PM.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra Sector Command, confirmed the devastating incident on Monday. According to preliminary investigations and eyewitness accounts, a Mack tanker without a registration number collided with a Toyota Hiace bus bearing the registration EKP375XM.
The bus, carrying passengers from Abakaliki en route to Onitsha, was reportedly speeding and engaged in dangerous overtaking on a single carriageway when the collision with the tanker, heading towards Awka, occurred.
The impact of the crash resulted in the immediate death of eight people – four males and four females. Six other individuals, comprising two males and four females, sustained injuries.
Following the incident, a rescue team from FRSC Unit RS5.33 Nteje promptly responded to the scene. The injured victims were attended to and subsequently transported to a hospital for necessary medical treatment. The bodies of the deceased were recovered and taken to the Jerusalem Mortuary in Nteje after a medical doctor confirmed their passing.
The FRSC attributed the primary cause of the tragic crash to excessive speeding on the part of the bus driver.
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The Sector Commander, Corps Commander Joyce Nnennaya Alexander, has strongly urged all drivers to prioritize their safety and the safety of other road users by adhering to safe speeds and ensuring that the roadway is completely clear before attempting to overtake other vehicles. She emphasized that these precautions are crucial in preventing such catastrophic incidents.
The FRSC Anambra Sector Command extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the victims and wished a swift and full recovery to those who sustained injuries.
Demonstrating her commitment to road safety, the Sector Commander personally visited the scene of the crash, inspected the damaged vehicles at the Nteje Police Station, and held a meeting with the chief of the task force of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), a key stakeholder given the involvement of a tanker.
Furthermore, Corps Commander Alexander visited the surviving victims who are receiving medical care at the Regina Caeli Hospital and the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital. During these visits, she assessed their conditions and offered support, underscoring the FRSC’s dedication to the well-being of road crash victims.
By actively engaging with stakeholders like NUPENG and closely monitoring the aftermath of the crash, the Command aims to identify critical areas for improvement in road safety measures and implement strategies to mitigate the risk of future accidents.
The FRSC Anambra Sector Command has reassured the public of its ongoing efforts to promote road safety awareness through various campaigns, rigorously enforce traffic regulations, and maintain strong collaboration with relevant stakeholders to foster a safer road environment for everyone.