Two babies, three others die in Abia auto crash

Five persons, including two babies, were killed in a road crash near Umuika Junction along the Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway in Abia State.

The Guardian learnt that the incident occurred at about 12:45 p.m. on Sunday when a Sienna car belonging to the Abia Line Network rammed into a loaded truck.

An eyewitness, who gave his name as Ochiegbu Marvelous, said the driver fell asleep, lost control, and collided with a truck before crashing into a nearby bush.

The eyewitness said the impact of the collision caused the death of the five passengers and two infants and injured others.

In a statement yesterday, spokesperson for Abia State Police Command ASP Maureen Chinaka confirmed the incident, saying it occurred near the Umuikaa junction along the Umuahia-Aba-Port Harcourt expressway.

She, however, did not state the number of casualties.

MEANWHILE, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Abia State Sector Command, confirmed that five people died in the incident.

According to the FRSC, the tragedy occurred at about 1:45 p.m. at Egbelu Mbutu by Cherubim Bus Stop, IsialaNgwa South Local Council, along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

The spokesperson for the state command, Ngozi Ezeoma, said in a statement yesterday that the crash occurred when a Toyota Previa with registration number BKL 291 ZJ travelling to Enugu rammed into an unnumbered stationary Mack truck.

She said: “Eleven persons were involved in the crash, including six male adults, two female adults and three male children. At the time of the crash, four persons (two male adults and two male children) died on the spot, while three persons were injured.

“A rescue team from RS9.32 KM78 Aba Unit Command arrived at the accident scene within 10 minutes of notice and conducted rescue operations. The injured victims were taken to Ronald Hospital, Umuikaa and the deceased’s bodies were deposited at the Mighty Moon Mortuary, close to Umuikaa Junction.

“On a follow-up by the FRSC officials yesterday morning, it was confirmed that one male adult later died in the hospital. This development brings the number of deceased accident victims to five (three male adults and two male children).

She added: “The injured male victim was transferred to the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, this morning for further medical treatment while the female victim remained in Roland Hospital, Umuikaa.

“Three adults and one child survived the crash without injuries, and the only surviving child has been handed over to the Umuikaa Police Station. Preliminary investigation revealed that the cause of the crash was fatigue.

“An update will be communicated as soon as FRSC’s crash investigation experts conclude their work.”