11 dead, eight injured in Abia auto crash

At least 11 persons died and eight others were injured in an auto crash along the Port Harcourt-Enugu Expressway of Abia State on Wednesday.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state, Mrs. Ngozi Ezeoma, confirmed the accident in a statement on Wednesday in Umuahia.

She said the accident occurred at the Arongwa Village axis of the expressway opposite Arab Contractors Construction Company at about 1:00 p.m., on Wednesday.

The FRSC official added that a preliminary investigation revealed that the crash was caused by excessive speed.

According to her, a Nissan Caravan commercial bus and a HOWO commercial truck were involved in the accident.

Ezeoma said: “The bus which conveyed 19 people – eight men and 11 women – to Enugu rammed into the truck.

“A combined rescue team from FRSC RS 9.31 Aba and RS 9.32 km78 Aba Unit commands arrived at the crash scene within five minutes of notice to conduct rescue operations.

“At the time of the crash, 10 persons – five men and five women were injured while nine persons (four men and five women) died on the spot.

“The injured victims were taken to Ronald Hospital, Umuikaa, and Living Word Hospital, Aba, while the dead victims were taken to Alanwemadu and Peace Mortuary, Aba.

“During a hospital follow-up on the crash victims, it was discovered that one man and one woman died this evening, while one of the victims was referred to the Federal Medical Center Umuahia.

“With this latest event, a total of 11 persons (five men and six women) were confirmed dead, and eight persons (four men and four women) were confirmed injured.”

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