Five persons have been killed and four injured following a fatal road crash that happened Friday morning at Odumodu junction, Nteje along Onitsha-Awka Expressway.
The accident which occurred at about 7:30am this morning, involved a Mistibushi commercial L300 bus with registration number, XE245AWK and a commercial Leyland truck with number T-19094LA.
Eye witnesses told our correspondent who visited the scene earlier today that the accident occurred at a very bad spot at the junction, which separates the two well-built express roads.
According to eyewitness, the two vehicles were en route to different locations; one to Awka and the other to Onitsha.
According to them, the two vehicles got to the spot at same time and as the truck was trying to navigate the bad spot, it collapsed on top of the bus and crushed the passengers.
The Anambra Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Adeoye Irelewuyi in a chat with our correspondent, confirmed that 5 persons died in the crash, 4 were injured and rushed to the hospital, while one person was unhurt.
“Ten people comprising 3 male adults, 7 female adults were involved in the crash.
“5 female adults were killed.
“2 male adults and 2 female adults sustained vary degrees of injuries and 1 male adult was rescued unhurt
“FRSC rescue team from RS5.33 Nteje took the injured victims to Divine Care Hospital, Umunya for medical attention, while the dead victims were taken to Chira Hospital for doctors confirmation before deposition at New Jerusalem Mortuary, Nteje,” he said.
Adeoye regretted that had it been the container on the truck was fastened to the truck, the mishap would have been averted.
On the issue of bad portion which also contributed to the accident, the Anambra FRSC boss revealed that the Command had submitted the road audit it conducted on the failed roads in the state, to the appropriate authorities.
He however advised drivers of smaller vehicles to be cautious when close to loaded articulated trucks
“I want to sympathize with the family of the dead victims and pray for the repose of their souls. I also want to advise trucks to ensure that the containers they are carrying are fastened to their vehicles, so that when things like this happen, it would not be as easy as this incident,” he advised.
