Over 60 escape death as luxury bus, petrol tanker crash in Awka

NO fewer than 60 persons escaped death, when a fully loaded commercial luxury bus crashed into the drainage on the Enugu-Onitsha expressway while  trying to avoid collision with a petrol tanker, on Friday.

An eyewitness, Mr John Obi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the bus with plate number KRD 730 XJ, belonging to Young Shall Grow motor, took off from Onitsha and was heading for Taraba

Obi said the passenger bus, which was descending the Kwata bridge, just before the popular Unizik junction in Awka, on top speed was trying to avoid an unmarked petrol tanker.

He said that the tanker was turning on the expressway after discharging its content at a nearby filling station.

He said though no life was lost but some passengers sustained various degrees of injuries.

One of the victims, who identified himself as Chukwudi, said he was thankful to God for the narrow escape but was not psychologically balanced to speak further.

“I just thank God, because this could have been my last day, for me I thank God,” he said.

Another passenger Hajiya Rekia, a nursing mother was just shouting “Nagode Allah, Nagode Allah” (thank God).”

The vice chairman of Red Cross Society in Anambra, Professor Peter Katchy, whose team was part of the rescue team, confirmed that there was no death but few passengers sustained minor injuries which had been treated.

Katchy called on the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to restore the electric pole that was knocked down and remove cables lying dangerously on the Expressway.