FATAL ROAD ACCIDENT CLAIMS FIVE LIVES IN UDENU LGA NSUKKA

A fatal road accident in Udenu LGA, Enugu State at Orba-Imilike section of the Ninth mile Oturkpo highway has  claimed the lives of about five persons. The accident which occurred at about midday on Wednesday 20th January 2016, involved a long trailer with Kano number KBY22XA loaded with live cattle traveling to Ninth mile and a Toyota bus Lagos number XK240KTU carrying mainly traders from Onitsha to Jos.

Voice fm reporter arrived the scene of the incidence as the dead bodies  were being carried away to a nearby mortuary. According to the driver of the Toyota bus Mr. Emmanuel Nwadike who was visibly shaken but happy to be alive, the driver of the trailer was avoiding the potholes when he lost control of the long vehicle. Efforts made by the bus driver to manoeuvre away from the head-on collision was not enough.

According to an eye witness, the trailer was on high speed and its driver was unable to see the numerous potholes on the bend near the proposed site for the Enugu state 200 bed Specialist Hospital at Orba. Passers-by and a few villagers were angered by the reactions of the trailer driver and his assistance who drew swords to stave off the gathering crowd. Police officers were on hand to check any further loss of lives and control traffic.  According to the Divisional Police Officer Udenu LGA Mr Emma Obasi who confirmed the death of the passengers, some of the injured passengers were taken to St Theresa’s Hospital, Obollo-Afor. He said police took custody of the trailer occupants to avoid mob mishap. At the hospital, some of the injured travellers were able to narrate the circumstances leading to the road crash. A trader at Ngbuka Obosi Mr. John Obu a native of Ngbagbuowa Ezeagu LGA in Enugu State who lives at 13 Ejinka, Okpoko said he could not remember what really happened but just saw himself in the hospital. Another injured passenger, a textile dealer at Jos, Mr. Benedette Okoye from Eziowelle in Idemili LGA of Anambra State was  grateful to God to be alive and blamed the trailer driver for reckless driving. They said they had boarded the bus at Nkpo Onitsha and were traveling back to Jos. One of those who gathered at the scene of the accident, Chief Simon Eze called on government to repair the damaged portion of the busy highway.

Aka Eze Aka

Reporting from Udenu LGA.