Six Killed In Abia Road Accident

Six Killed In Abia Road Accident

On December 23, 2024, six individuals tragically lost their lives in a road accident on the Mmuri axis of Ohafia Local Government Area in Abia State…READ MORE…

According to an eyewitness, the incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. when a Metrix147 trailer, which was loaded with chippings, overturned and trapped several people beneath it.

The witness noted that many victims were pleading for assistance as they suffered excruciating pain, but rescue efforts were inadequate to save them.

In a statement, Emeka Mba, President General of the Ebem Ohafia Development Union, described the day as a “black Sunday.” He shared, “Today should be recognized as a black Sunday due to the fatalities. As I speak, several people remain trapped under the truck.”

He reported that one survivor—a woman along with her two children—was seated at the front of the bus, but many others were still under the vehicle, creating a dire situation.

Mba expressed frustration over the lack of emergency response equipment to lift the heavy truck, explaining, “We’ve exhausted all options. Unfortunately, we could not access the necessary equipment to rescue those trapped. This is a very distressing situation.”

When asked about the road conditions, Chief Mba criticized the government for negligence, pointing out, “That section of the road is particularly low. We have submitted numerous reports to urge the government to address this issue. This is a minor road, and heavy-duty trucks should be restricted until adequate measures are implemented.”

On Monday, the Abia State Road Traffic and Safety Management Agency confirmed the accident in a statement from spokesman Nelson Anya. He reported that the accident involved a trailer loaded with chippings colliding with a Sienna bus carrying nine passengers, resulting in injuries to one occupant.

“ARTSMA officials, led by General Manager Col. Ezichi Kalu (retd.), responded swiftly to the distress call, arriving on-site to provide critical assistance. The team mobilized resources, including a crane and two towing vehicles, to rescue victims and manage the situation.”

Sadly, six individuals lost their lives, one person sustained serious injuries, and two others suffered various degrees of injury.

The agency extended its condolences to the families of the deceased and the affected road transport workers and wished a speedy recovery to the injured travelers.

It announced that the road has since been cleared and reopened to traffic, advising motorists to drive cautiously and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent future tragedies.

“ARTSMA remains committed to ensuring the safety and efficiency of Abia State’s roadways. This incident underscores the urgent need for collective responsibility in upholding road safety guidelines,” the statement concluded.

Meanwhile, the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Ctz Ukoha Kalu Ukoha, stated that the Abia State Government acted promptly to save lives by providing cranes and towing vehicles for the rescue operation and clearing the road.

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