By Sunny A. David
No fewer than 42 people escaped death in Anambra State on Tuesday as a tipper crashed into a student bus in the morning hours of the day.
The crash, which happened along Umuokpu Road, was between a white-blue Mercedes 608 bus with registration number ENU355 UJ, and a white-black Mack tipper (with no registration number). The bus had the inscription “Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe” on it.
According to a statement issued by the Ag. sector public education officer of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Anambra State Command, RC Margaret Onabe, 18 male adults and 24 female adults were involved in the crash, while 15 male adults and 24 female adults sustained varying degrees of injury.
The injured people were rushed to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku Awka, by the officials of the FRSC rescue team from RS5.3 Awka, for medical treatment.
She further revealed that the crash was caused by speeding, according to eyewitness accounts.
“The tipper driver was on speed, rammed into the bus from behind; and the bus lost control, somersaulted and crashed,” she explained.
She said no life was lost, and added that FRSC men from the Awka Command were on ground, managing the traffic and ensuring that the crashed vehicles were removed.
“The sector commander, Anambra State Corps Commander, Mr. Adeoye Irelewuyi wishes the injured victims quick recovery. He warned motorists to desist from speed and imbibe a new driving culture this new year, to ensure safety of road users,” Onabe said.
