Abuja Auto Crash Damages Seven Vehicles

Eleven persons were seriously injured when a truck, loaded with drinks, ran into a broken down bus carrying passengers at Kugbo, near Nyanya, last Friday, witnesses said.

Some eyewitnesses told newsmen, at the scene of the accident that they were among the sympathisers who joined in the rescue efforts to free the trapped passengers when the truck with registration No. XL 664-MUS ran into the bus.

Malam Nura Yusuf, a ram seller, said: “The coca cola truck just descended down the slope on top speed and ran into the people by the road side.’’

“We were just lucky to escape the crash,” he said.

Alhaji Emah Abdukareem, another trader, said, “we are very lucky that nobody died.’’

Mr Iloba Patrick, the Presidential Team Squad of VIO, who led his team’s rescue operation, told newsmen that seven vehicles, including two commercial buses were damaged, while six motor-cycles were also crushed beyond repairs in the accident.

Patrick said that the accident occurred when sympathisers, mainly commercial motorcyclists, were assisting to evacuate passengers from a broken down commercial bus, which fell by its side.

“Suddenly, a coca cola truck lost control and hit the commercial bus with the people trying to rescue the passengers in the bus.

“My men swiftly arrived the scene of the accident immediately we received the distress call about the accident to carry out the rescue operations.

“Eleven injured persons have been evacuated in two V10 ambulances to the hospital for prompt medical attention.

“As at the time of the evacuation, nobody died and we are hoping and praying that there would be no casualty even in the hospital, ‘’ Patrick said.

Mr Sunday Ajai, the FCT Sector Head of Operation of the FRSC, who also led his rescue team to the scene,  said that it was wrong for people to “just put any vehicle on the road, not minding its condition.’’

“This portion of the road is sloppy and there is need for motorists to be extra careful whenever they get to this spot.

“It is possible that break failure is the cause of this accident because of lack of maintenance by the operators of the affected vehicles,’’ he said.

A senior Police officer, who led the Police rescue team to the scene and who preferred anonymity, refused to comment on the incident, saying: “I cannot give any comment, please wait for our boss to come.’’