By Cajetan Mmuta
Two persons died and 61 others escaped death in multiple accidents on Friday along the Onitsha-Owerri expressway in Anambra state.
The incident was said to have been caused by a mounted police checkpoint at Azia junction along the expressway in Ihiala’s local government area of the state.
Among the dead was a little boy when the fatal crashes happened.
The nine persons who sustained injuries included four women in the accident which involved seven vehicles including an articulated truck.
An eyewitness said the crash occurred when the driver of the truck who was on speed lost control as he approached the police Checkpoint at Azia junction on the dual carriage route.
He said, “The driver rammed into 6 vehicles on the queue at the Checkpoint, killing several passengers and injuring others inside the vehicles.”
The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State, Mr. Adeoye Irelewuyi who confirmed the incident said the corpses of those who does in the crash have been deposited at a hospital morgue.
He however commiserated with families of the deceased
He also prayed for quick recovery of the injured even as he warned motorists to avoid speeding and to ensure they maintain recommended speed limit.
According to him, “63 people compromising 52 male adults, 10 female adults, and 1 male child were involved in the crash.
“One male adult and one male child were killed, 9 people compromising five male adults, and four female adults sustained varying degrees of injuries, while 52 people were rescued unhurt. The dead victims were deposited at Our Lady of Lourdes hospital Ihiala while the injured are receiving treatment at the same hospital.
“FRSC rescue team on the ground managed the traffic and ensured obstruction caused by the crash was removed.”
