By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
An auto crash along the busy Enugu-Onitsha Expressway on Thursday, February 27, claimed several lives.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), however, confirmed the death of six persons in the lone accident which occurred between Enugu Fly-over Bridge and Ugwu-Onyeama axis of the expressway.
Sector Commander of FRSC, Enugu State Command, Mr Franklin Agbakoba, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Thursday in Enugu.
It will be recalled that barely a month ago, a total of 23 persons lost their lives in a fuel tanker explosion accident that occurred in the Ugwu-Onyeama axis of same expressway.
The unfortunate incident happened at about 8a.m.
Agbakoba said that the rescue team of the Corps rushed to the scene and rescued three victims alive and rushed them to Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Parklane, Enugu, South-East Nigeria.
He said that the crash occurred when an Enugu-bound truck conveying vegetables and fruits as well as suspected to be carrying a few traders, on high speed lost control and tumbled over.
“The unfortunate accident involved nine persons (eight male adults and one female adult).
“Five male adults and one female adult were confirmed dead in the unfortunate accident, while FRSC Rescue Team took three injured male adults to ESUTH Hospital, Parklane, Enugu.
“The Muslim faithful within the truck carried dead bodies of five Muslims involved in the crash for burial; while relatives of a lady that died also carried her corpse,” he said.
According to Agbakoba, it was a lone accident as it involved just the truck.
Agbakoba said: “The accident must have been caused by speed violation and brake system failure.
“It is unfortunate and we pray that God consoles the families and friends that lost their loved ones in the unfortunate incident.”
