By Okechukwu Onuegbu
At least five persons including two reverend sisters, a driver and two others were burnt beyond recognition following an auto crash at Nawfia, Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State.
It was learnt that the accident which involved Toyota Highlander with registration number: BMR570BE and a Toyota Hiace Bus with no registration occured Tuesday night along the Enugu-Onistha expressway.
"Two Reverend Sisters- Rev Srs Virginia Obike, Sr Monica Ilem, Mr Chamberlain Umunakwe( Driver) and a husband and wife have been burnt to ashes after their vehicles crashed at the Nawfia axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Anambra state."
"Rev Sr Virginia Obike who is the Principal and Rev Sr Monika Ilem the Bursar of Handmaid's Secondary School, Amansea, Awka North LGA, and their driver, were traveling to Amansea in a Toyota Hiace bus belonging to the school, and were coming from Ifite-Ogwari, Ayamelum LGA, where they went to purchase bags of rice for the school," a source stated.
It was learnt that the deceased Reverend Sisters and their driver were from Handmaid Secondary school, while the two others, Mr Emma Oramulu Okeke, a food dealer and his wife.
Other sources added that Okeke was driving his wife with some bags of rice and other goods while the religious vehicle hit it from behind.
But the Acting Sector Public Education Officer, Ms Margaret Onabe, who confirmed the report said the crash happened around 6.30 hours.
"An eyewitness report, the bus driver was on speed, lost control, and rammed into the Highlander from behind, crashed and the both vehicles caught fire. 5 people compromising (2male adults and 3 female adults) were involved in the crash. They were killed (burnt completely).
"FRSC Rescue team from RS5.3 Sector Command Awka are on ground managing traffic and ensuring obstruction caused by the crash is removed. The Sector Commander Anambra State, Commander Adeoye Irelewuyi has Commiserate with the families of the dead victims and sends his prayers to the victims repose souls,"