Four die as bus carrying people to burial ceremony collides with tipper lorry in Anambra

Four persons died in a fatal road accident near Buckie Polytechnic, along Ogidi-Abatete road, Anambra state.

The accident which occurred around 5:20 pm on Friday, involved a Mercedes tipper loaded with sand and 608 bus.

Tribune Online gathered that the bus was conveying one kindred in the area to a burial ceremony when it collided with the tipper lorry carrying sand.

An eye witness who put the number of casualties at seven said the tipper had a tyre burst, resulting in loss of control and subsequently rammed into the Mercedes Benz 608, conveying passengers.

He said, “No fewer than seven persons died on the spot while other passengers sustain some degrees of injuries.

“Most of them were members of the same family going for burial ceremony.

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“Those that sustained injuries were rushed to a nearby hospital for immediate attention as hope of survival still hang in balance.”

Confirming the incident, Sector Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps, Pascal Anigbo said a total of four persons lost their lives in the incident.

He said corpses had been deposited at the hospital morgue, while the injured are receiving treatment.

He said, “At about 5:20 pm on Friday 12 June 2020, we received a distress call on a fatal Road Traffic Crash (RTC) which occurred at about 5:15 pm near Buckie Polytechnic, along Ogidi-Abatete road. FRSC rescue team from Nteje Unit Command were immediately dispatched to the scene of the crash.

“The crash involved a Mercedes Benz 608 with registration number AA205DMA driven by one Ezeugwu Christopher and a Mercedes Benz Tipper with enlistment number XD651GDD, drivers name given as FC Ugwumba.

“Casualties involved included, Seventeen (17) adult males, One (1) female adult and One (1) female child. Totalling Nineteen (19).They were all rushed to Twinkle Hospital, Ogidi by members of the community.

“Six (6) male adult victims in critical condition were referred to Iyi-Enu Specialist Hospital, Ogidi. Information reaching us after a Hospital Follow-Up today Saturday 13 June 2020, states that Four (4) have been confirmed dead by doctors at Iyi-Enu Specialist Hospital and their corpses deposited at the hospital morgue.

“The Sector Commander FRSC, Andrew Kumapayi condole with the family of the deceased and wishes the injured victims quick recovery.”

He strongly warns vehicle owners and drivers against the use of expired or worn-out tyres, particularly now that “we are are in rainy season.”

He equally advises that only brand new tyres should be used in vehicles as most fairly used tyres, popularly called “tokunbo tyres” are expired.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE