Federal road marshals confirm that five passengers died and 15 injured in an Enugu City auto crash today, 11 July.
The crash occurred along the Ugwu Onyeama, the hilly stretch on the Enugu-Onitsha highway, witnesses said.
Initial reports were that more than seven died but officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) debunked the claim.
Witnesses said two trucks – one laden with fuel and another bearing cement – had a head on collision at the Onyeama Hill.
Other smaller vehicles suffered the impact from the damage and recorded most of the casualties, witnesses said.
Among the damaged vehicles were two passenger buses and a car with children on board.
A passenger in one of the buses who identified herself as Blessing said they were travelling from Abakaliki to Lagos.
First responders rushed those with minor injuries to a private hospital at 9th Mile Corner and to Park Lane hospital. They also took those with broken limbs to the Federal Orthopedic Hospital Enugu.
Dr. Emma Ngwu of Our Saviour Medical Centre at 9th Mile, said his hospital received 14 survivors for treatment. He confirmed that they took six dead bodies to his hospital’s mortuary, contradicting the figure from FRSC.
Ten of the passengers in his hospital sustained serious injuries, he said.
Gov Peter Mbah described the incident as a “Black Tuesday”
Earlier in the day, his Deputy, Mr. Ifeanyi Ossai, visited the site of the accident as well as the two hospitals.
He praised first responders whose efforts minimized the casualty figures.
“We’re grateful to the doctors for their prompt interventions. I’m sure but for their interventions, we would have had more losses.
“We’re also grateful to the first respondents; the military personnel, Road Safety Corps, fire service, DSS and police.
In a statement later in the day, Governor Mbah described the accident as “unfortunate and horrific”.
“My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the victims, and as a state, we pray for the peaceful repose of the dead and quick recovery of the injured.
He said the government proposes to enquire into the causes of accidents on the stretch to make the roads safer and less prone to accidents.
The steep incline of Ugwu Onyeama is along the Enugu – Onitsha highway on the outskirts of Enugu City. The hill runs parallel to the famous Milliken Hill road.
Government designed the dual carriageway as a safer alternative to Milliken winding Hill. It has however become a death trap as the road quickly deteriorated, leading to fairly consistent horrible accidents.
Slug: Five died and 15 injured in Enugu auto crash
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