Four dead, 10 injured in multiple auto crashes

Four persons have died and 10 persons were seriously injured in multiple car crashes which occurred along the Abakaliki-Enugu Federal Highway on Monday.
The first one occurred in the afternoon while the second occurred at night after a downpour.
Mrs Stella Uchegbu, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Ebonyi Sector Commander, said on Tuesday that the four persons died in the second accident which occurred at the Ukwuachi junction of the road at about 9 p.m.
“Two persons were rescued alive in this second accident which involved an Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EDDC) vehicle with number plate LND 448 BR.
“And a Peugeot 406 vehicle belonging to the Ebonyi House of Assembly with number plate EBHA 37.
“Investigations revealed that this accident was caused by speeding and loss of control as the road was slippery due to the downpour.
“Six persons were involved in this second accident as a cutter was used to cut the wreckage of the vehicles to retrieve the driver’s body trapped inside the vehicle.
“The driver of the Peugeot was apparently drunk because a bottle of beer was found beside him by the rescue team,’’ he said.
Uchegbu said that the first accident involved an articulated vehicle and a Nissan bus with 18 occupants: 16 males and 2 females.
“No life was lost in this first accident but 10 persons were seriously injured, while eight persons were unhurt.
“This accident which occurred at the Ishieke junction of the road was caused by dangerous overtaking and loss of control,’’ she said.
She noted that the dead were evacuated to the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA), while the injured in both accidents were also receiving treatment in the same hospital.
“We will continue appeal to motorists to obey traffic regulations, especially this rainy season because valuable lives are lost continuously,’’ she said.