A tragic road accident on the Aba-PH Express Highway, before Solace Mortuary near Ntigha Junction, has claimed the lives of two individuals leaving several others injured.
Confirming the development on Monday, the Sector Commander of Abia State FRSC Command, Ngozi Ezeoma, said that the accident, which involved a Toyota Hiace bus, occurred at about 5:00 pm on Sunday and was reported about five minutes after the incident.
According to her, 16 passengers who were returning from a church program were on board when the accident happened.
It was gathered that the Church of Christ bus, fully loaded with its members and cargo, the Umuahia branch, was travelling from Umuahia to Aba when the incident happened.
Ezeoma confirmed that a male passenger died on the spot, while another passenger, found in critical condition, was rushed to Central Medical Centre, Mbawsi, but despite efforts to save him, later succumbed to his injuries, bringing the death toll to two.
The accident left several others injured, who were promptly rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Umuahia, where they are currently receiving medical attention.
Miraculously, one passenger escaped the accident unscathed.
She disclosed that preliminary investigations by the FRSC indicate that the accident was caused by a burst tyre while the vehicle was in motion further emphasising the importance of road safety and adherence to vehicle maintenance standards.
“This is why we are sensitising drivers on the need to avoid substandard tyres and the need to respect road safety rules,” she said.
As the investigation continued, the FRSC expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and urged all road users to prioritise safety noting the risks associated with the holiday season.
“This Ember month, passengers should speak up against dangerous driving. Crashes kill more passengers than drivers,” she said.