One person has died while another sustained injuries after a trailer crushed a commercial bus along the Nteje Awka section of the Onitsha Awka Enugu Expressway in Anambra State on Wednesday.
The Sector Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Anambra, Margaret Onabe, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday.
She said four males were involved in the crash and explained that the accident happened when the trailer lost control and dragged the bus into a gutter.
Onabe said the command received the emergency call at 14:45 and the rescue team arrived five minutes later.
She explained that the collision involved a red Sino trailer belonging to Coca Cola and an ash coloured Daihatsu Hijet bus belonging to ASTMA, both with registration numbers yet to be identified.
She said, “One male adult sustained injuries and was given first aid before being taken to the hospital, while one male adult was killed. Two other male occupants were rescued without injuries.”
According to her, eyewitnesses noted that the ASTMA bus had stopped after observing a vehicle with tyre problems. One of the occupants reportedly left to get a vulcanizer when the trailer attempted to maneuver, causing one of its tyres to catch the bus and push it into the gutter.
The Sector Commander, FRSC Anambra State, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, who was at the scene with other senior officers, expressed sympathy to the family of the deceased and prayed for quick recovery for the injured victim.
She said, “We regret this tragic loss and appreciate the prompt action of our officers. Drivers must always observe speed limits, avoid dangerous maneuvers and maintain control of their vehicles.”
She added that the injured victim was taken to Chira Hospital, Awkzu, while the deceased was moved to Jerusalem Hospital, Nteje. An RCC crane later lifted the trailer to clear the wreckage and restore traffic.
The Anambra FRSC Command said it will continue to enforce traffic laws and educate motorists to reduce preventable road crashes.
