Anthony Iwuoma
Tragedy hit the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in Abuja, on Sunday, when 19 persons died in an auto crash, involving three vehicles along Yangoji-Gwagwalada Road.
It was gathered that 10 other persons were injured in the accident that occurred barely one month after an accident in the same area claimed nine lives.
Acting Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dauda Biu, who confirmed the incident, explained that the accident involved two Toyota Hiace buses and an articulated vehicle.
READ ALSO: http://PDP crisis: Why Ayu must go, by Bode George
According to him, “Out of the 31 victims, eight persons, comprising seven males and one female sustained various degrees of injuries, while 19 others were burnt beyond recognition.
“Investigation showed that the main causes of the crash were speed limit violation and wrongful overtaking, which eventually resulted in the loss of control.
“The Toyota Hiace bus, with registration number MUB- 30 LG, crashed into the Citroen articulated vehicle and burst into flames, killing everyone on board.
“The second bus hit the first bus from behind and also caught fire. The fire melted the second bus with the Bauchi Dtate number plate. It was coming from Takai, Kano State while heading to Benin.
READ ALSO: http://Don’t collect, pay toll on Federal Highways – FG warns
“The Citroen vehicle loaded chicken feed from Zaria in Kaduna state and was heading to Akwa Ibom.
“The nineteen corpses were trapped but extricated by rescue operatives.”
While cautioning motorists against speeding, wrongful overtaking and other bad driving conduct, the FRSC boss added that “injured victims were taken to a nearby hospital in Kwali in the FCT and one identified male corpse was deposited at the mortuary at Kwali General Hospital,” he further stated.
