11 dead, eight injured in Abia road crash

The Federal Road Safety Corps, Abia State Sector Command, on Wednesday, confirmed a road traffic crash that occurred at Arungwa Village, opposite Arab Contractors Construction Company on Port Harcourt-Enugu Expressway.

The confirmation was contained in a statement by Corps Commander Ngozi Ezeoma.

The statement read, “The crash involving a Nissan Caravan commercial bus with registration number SSM 320 ZR colour white conveying 19 persons (eight male adults and 11 female adults) traveling to Enugu rammed into a HOWO commercial truck with registration number T2828LA, colour yellow.

“A combine rescue team from FRSC RS 9.31 Aba and RS 9.32 km78 Aba Unit Commands arrived at the scene of the crash within five minutes of notice and conducted rescue operations.

“At the time of the crash, 10 persons (five male adults and five female adults) were injured while nine persons (four male adults and five female adults) died on the spot. The injured victims were taken to the hospital in Aba, while the the dead victims were taken to the mortuary in Aba.

“During a hospital follow up on the crash victims, it was discovered that one male adult and one female adult died this evening, while one of the victims was referred to Federal Medical Centre Umuahia.

“With this latest event, a total of 11 persons (five male adults and six female adults) are confirmed dead and eight persons (four male adults and four female adults) are confirmed injured.”

Preliminary investigation was said to have revealed that the cause of the crash was excessive speed.

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