TRAGEDY STRIKES: 14 WEDDING ATTENDEES DEAD IN AUTO ACCIDENT
Read Time:2 Minute, 8 Second
By: Fasasi Hammad
A tragic road accident over the weekend claimed the lives of 14 wedding guests returning from a traditional marriage and wedding ceremony, leaving several others critically injured.
The victims, all from Umuahia, Abia State, were traveling back from a marriage ceremony in Enugu State on Saturday night when their coaster bus collided head-on with a trailer on the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, near the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ozalla.
Eyewitnesses said the crash occurred around 6 p.m., just a few metres from the well-known 4-Corner Junction. Fourteen passengers reportedly died instantly, while others later succumbed to their injuries at hospitals. Several survivors remain in critical condition in medical facilities in Umuahia.
Most of the deceased were food traders operating along Bonny Street, near Isi Gate, Umuahia. The groom, Mr. MacDonald Okechukwu, an indigene of Orlu, Imo State, was among the traders. His wife is from Amagunze in Nkanu, Enugu State, where the traditional marriage and wedding ceremony had been held shortly before the tragedy.
When Vanguard visited Bonny Street, the normally bustling commercial hub was subdued, with shops closed and sympathizers consoling grieving families. Miss Glory Orji, who lost her father in the accident, said her family was still struggling to come to terms with the loss.
Another trader, who requested anonymity, described the groom as sociable and noted that many traders attended the wedding because of his personal invitations, explaining the large turnout. “At least eight traders from Bonny Street died,” she said tearfully, adding that some survivors are still in coma, including a woman who lost her mother and her sister’s husband, who had been married for only two years.
Also among the victims was a well-known Umuahia Master of Ceremony, MC Counsellor, who had been hired to host the wedding.
Chairman of the Bonny Street Traders Association, Mr. James Edeh, confirmed the incident, describing it as horrific. Preliminary reports from the trailer driver suggested that the bus may have been driving against traffic. The driver claimed he was overtaking a tricycle when the bus suddenly emerged from the opposite direction, resulting in the fatal collision.
Edeh stated, “We evacuated 12 bodies, including eight traders, two kinsmen of the groom, and two other guests.”
Commissioner for Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Ngozi Felix, said she was in transit and could not comment. However, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the governor, confirmed that the governor had directed authorities to identify the victims and provide assistance to the affected families.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0