SIX DIE IN ABIA ROAD CRASH
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In the Mmuri axis of the Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, a traffic tragedy has claimed the lives of six people.
An eyewitness reported that at approximately 1:30 pm on that Sunday, a Metrix147 trailer loaded with chipping flipped, trapping multiple persons beneath its crushing weight.
He continued by saying that although several of the victims begged for assistance while they were in excruciating pain, rescue attempts were not enough to save their lives.
The bridge is located in the Ebem Ohafia Development Union, whose president general, Emeka Mba, called the day a “black Sunday” in an interview.
Mba stated, “Well, today should be regarded as a black Sunday because of the killings. As I speak to you, many people are still trapped under the truck.
“I learned that one of the survivors is a lady with her two children sitting in front of the bus. But several others are still under the vehicle, and it’s a very helpless situation,” he said.
Mba lamented the lack of emergency response equipment to move the heavy-duty truck. “We have tried everything. We could not get any equipment to lift the truck and rescue the people underneath. It’s a very ugly situation,” he explained.
When asked about the condition of the road, Chief Mba highlighted the poor state of the area and blamed the tragedy on government negligence, stating, “That section of the road is very low, and we’ve done a lot of press statements and documentation to draw the government’s attention to it. This is a small road and heavy-duty trucks should be restricted until proper measures are put in place.”
Nelson Anya, the spokesperson for the Abia State Road Traffic and Safety Management Agency, confirmed the accident in a statement released on Monday.
According to Anya, the incident happened on Sunday when a Sienna bus carrying nine people collided with a trailer loaded with chippings.
He also mentioned that one of the travelers was hurt.
“ARTSMA officials, led by the General Manager, Col. Ezichi Kalu (retd.), promptly responded to the distress call and arrived at the scene to provide critical intervention.
“The team mobilized resources, including a crane and two towing vans, to rescue victims and manage the situation.
“Regrettably, six individuals lost their lives on the spot, one passenger sustained severe injuries, while two others suffered varying degrees of injuries,” he said.
The organization sent its condolences to the impacted road transport personnel and their families.
It also wished for a speedy and complete recovery for the injured travelers.
The road has been completely cleared and restored to traffic, the agency declared.
In order to avoid similar sad events in the future, it recommended drivers to drive carefully and to follow traffic laws.
“ARTSMA remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the safety and efficiency of Abia State’s roadways.
“This incident highlights the critical need for collective responsibility in upholding road safety guidelines”, the statement added.
The Abia State Government, ABSG, moved quickly to save lives by providing cranes and towing trucks to rescue the victims and clearing the road, according to Ctz Ukoha Kalu Ukoha, the state governor’s chief press secretary.
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