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The Enugu State Police Command, Wednesday night, confirmed the death of ten persons in two separate road mishaps that occurred at different locations along Enugu-Port-Harcourt expressway.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in a release, also announced that about ten persons were injured in the crashes.
According to him, “Two separate but tragic fatal road accidents that occurred today along the Ozalla/4-Corner axis of the dual-carriage Enugu/Port-Harcourt Expressway claimed ten lives and left ten others hospitalized.
“The first incident, a multiple-vehicle crash, happened at about 9am on the Enugu inward-bound lane. A Howo truck, inscribed Visco Investment Global and laden with bags of white cement, was en route to Abuja from Aba, Abia State. It collided with a Toyota Corolla car that was attempting to overtake another truck on the same route.
“A Foton bus and a Daihatsu Hijet mini bus, both driving one-way, were also caught in the collision. Sadly, the truck’s head and the Toyota Corolla car went up in flames, with five occupants of the car burning to death. A passenger in the mini bus was equally confirmed dead by the attending medical doctor.”
He said another accident occurred at about 3pm on the same road.
He stated that, “This time, it involved a Sino truck belonging to Global Investment and a tricycle. The truck, laden with cement and driving one-way from Garriki Enugu to Nenwe in Aninri LGA, on the same Enugu inward-bound lane, rammed into the tricycle, leading to the death of its four occupants. They were rushed to the hospital but later confirmed dead.
“Ten other persons, injured in the separate crashes, are currently receiving medical attention.”
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Bitrus Giwa, while mourning the tragic loss of lives and commiserating with the families of the deceased, directed the state Motor Traffic Department to carry out a diligent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accidents.
The CP, in the statement, described the crashes as avoidable. He cautioned drivers to exercise care, “especially during these ember months when road traffic usually increases and accidents are more frequent”.
He urged motorists to shun recklessness, obey traffic rules, and prioritize safety over speed to prevent further calamities.
