By Okechukwu Onuegbu
About 15 persons were feared dead, Saturday, as five vehicles had head-on collusions at Umunya, Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State.
The fatal crash which occured at about 12.40pm at Odumodu junction by Nteje-Awka Expressway, involved four commercial vehicles and one private car with registration numbers such as ENU 32 XD, LSD 339 XA, KSF 646 BZ, BAU 305 ZE, and ABN 64 JA.
According to an eyewitness, Mr Uche Eze, who said the accident was caused by overspending, disclosed that dead bodies and goods were scattered along the road during the accident as there was no security officers to attend to them.
However, the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Anambra State, Mr Adeoye Irelewuyi, said that 26 people comprising (20 male adults and 6 female adults) were involved in the crash but one died, 12 injured while 13 were rescued unhurt.
Irelewuyi, who spoke through the Acting Sector Public Education Officer, Mrs Margaret Onabe, added that an eyewitness told them a driver of the truck with registration number LSD 339 XA lost control as a result of speed and it led to multiple collision of four other vehicles.
He added that "The FRSC rescue team from RS5.33 Nteje in collaboration with a team of officers and men from Anambra Sector Command, Awka rushed the victim to Boromi and Divine Favour Hospital, Umuya. The dead victim is still trapped under the truck as at the time of this report.
"The team are still on ground controlling traffic and ensuring obstruction caused by the crash is cleared. Efforts is being made to remove the trapped body. Fire Service has been contacted and are on their way to the scene. He seriously warned motorist to desist from speeding and ensure they drive within minimum safe speed to save their lives and that of other road users."