The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Abia State Sector Command confirmed a devastating road traffic accident that occurred on Wednesday near Arongwa village on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway in Abia State.
The crash, which took place at around 12:45 PM opposite the Arab Contractors Construction Company, resulted in the tragic loss of 11 lives and left eight others injured.
According to a press statement released by the Abia State Sector Command Public Relations Officer, Enyioko Miracle, the accident involved a Nissan Caravan commercial bus with registration number SSM 320 ZR, carrying 19 passengers (8 male adults and 11 female adults) en route to Enugu.
The bus collided with a HOWO commercial truck, registration number T2828LA, painted yellow.
A combined rescue team from the FRSC RS 9.31 Aba and RS 9.32 km78 Aba Unit Commands arrived at the scene within five minutes of receiving the alert, swiftly conducting rescue operations.
The statement revealed that initially, 10 people (5 male adults and 5 female adults) were injured, while 9 individuals (4 male adults and 5 female adults) died on the spot.
The injured were rushed to a hospital in Aba, and the deceased were taken to a mortuary.
Sadly, during a follow-up visit to the hospital, it was discovered that one male and one female adult succumbed to their injuries later that evening.
Another victim was referred to the Federal Medical Center in Umuahia for further treatment.
“With this latest development, a total of 11 persons (five male adults and six female adults) have been confirmed dead, and eight persons (four male adults and four female adults) confirmed injured,” the release stated.
Preliminary investigations attribute the cause of the crash to excessive speed. Further updates will be provided once the FRSC Crash Investigators conclude their investigation.
This tragedy comes just days after another fatal accident occurred along the same stretch of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, claiming five lives and leaving two others severely injured.
The FRSC attributed the cause of that crash to driver fatigue.
