27th December, 2021
By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu
Eleven people were confirmed dead on Sunday in a ghastly accident involving three vehicles on Agulu Lake Bridge by Awka-Ekwulobia Road in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra.
One of the vehicles, a Mitsubishi bus burst into flames, trapping all its 15 occupants
Mr Adeoye Irelewuyi, the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra, said the accident occurred at about 5.00 p.m.
Irelewuyi said that 20 people were involved in the accident, caused by wrongful overtaking and speeding.
“The crash involved a Mack truck with no registration number and a Mitsubishi L300 bus marked XA 857 UMN, carrying 14 passengers.
“The third vehicle involved in the accident is a Daihatsu Hijet Shuttle Bus with registration number UMZ23XC, occupied by five people.
“A witness report indicates that the driver of the Mitsubishi Bus was speeding and when he overtook wrongfully, collided with the truck and went into flames, while the shuttle bus ran into the already collided vehicles.
“Five passengers in the shuttle bus were rescued alive and unhurt, while the passengers in the Mitsubishi Bus were trapped in the fire where seven persons were burnt beyond recognition.
“Four persons comprising three male adults and a female child rescued alive, were later confirmed dead at St. Joseph Hospital, Agulu, and their corpses were deposited at the hospital morgue, ” he said.
The sector commander said that the FRSC rescue team from Nanka were on ground to divert traffic, saying that efforts were being made to evacuate the burnt bodies and clear the obstruction caused by the crash.
While condoling with the families of the dead victims, Irelewuyi urged motorists to ensure that the road is free and safe before overtaking.
He urged them to always obey traffic rules at all times, and also endeavour to maintain the stipulated speed limits.