Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Enugu State Sector Command, has confirmed the death of 11 persons in a road crash after a gigantic tree fell on two vehicles along the 9th Mile–Old Nsukka Road.
The Sector Commander, Mr. Franklin Agbakoba, confirmed the number while briefing newsmen on Wednesday in Enugu.
Agbakoba said the road mishap occurred at about 9:20 p.m. on Tuesday, precisely at Awhum Market in the Awhum community axis of the road.
He said the crash involved a commercial Toyota Hiace bus, a commercial Toyota Sienna car, and the fallen gigantic tree.
According to him, the unfortunate incident was caused by heavy rain, which led to the tree falling.
He said, “The road mishap involved 13 persons in total, including 11 females and two males.
“Unfortunately, 11 lives were lost at the spot, including 10 females and one male, even before the FRSC night rescue team arrived at the scene within 17 minutes.”
Agbakoba, who is a Corps Commander with the FRSC, noted that the commercial Toyota Hiace bus had stopped to allow passengers to alight when the tree fell on it.
He said the FRSC night rescue team deposited the victims’ bodies at the Ekochin Hospital Morgue, 9th Mile Corner, near Enugu.
He added that villagers assisted with their Mythco chainsaw to cut the fallen tree, while the Enugu State Traffic Management Agency (ESTMA) deployed a heavy-duty tow truck to the crash scene to remove the tree branches blocking traffic.
“The road was later reopened and free flow of traffic restored,” he added.
