- They were crushed to death after an unlatched container fell on the bus they were commuting in.
- Five other passengers were injured in the mishap
Tragedy struck at Odumodu Junction, Nteje-Awka , in Anambra state on Friday after five women lost their lives in one fell swoop.
They were crushed to death after an unlatched container fell on the bus they were commuting in.
The spokesperson of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra Sector Command, Mr Adeoye Irelewuyi, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Awka on Friday.
Irelewuyi disclosed that the accident, which occurred at 7.30 a.m., involved a Mistibushi L300 commercial bus with registration number XE245AWK and a commercial Daf/Leyland truck with number T-19094LA.
He noted that the mishap was caused by the deplorable state of the road as the truck driver was trying to avoid the failed portion of the road when the unfortunate incident happened.
“According to eyewitnesses, the vehicles were headed to different locations; one to Awka and the other to Onitsha.
“When the vehicles got to the bad spot at same time, and due to the weight of the container, it fell on the bus,” the sector commander said.
He disclosed that 10 persons – three male adults and seven female adults – were involved in the crash.
“Five women were killed. Two men and two women sustained injuries, while one man was rescued unhurt.
“FRSC rescue team took the injured victims to Divine Care Hospital, Umunya, while the dead victims were taken to Chira Hospital for doctor’s confirmation before the bodies were deposited at New Jerusalem Mortuary in Nteje,” he said.
Irelewuyi said that efforts were being made to remove the obstruction created by the accident.
He sympathized with the families of the deceased and wished the injured quick recovery.
The FRSC sector commander urged motorists to drive with caution. (NAN)