Seven die in Edo multiple car crashes

 

Seven persons have lost their lives in a multiple car crashes near Ewu along the Benin-Auchi-Okenne road on Saturday. Five victims in the accident died on the spot while two others died yesterday.
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The Public Relations Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), George Otoaviokpai, disclosed this yesterday in a telephone interview.
Six vehicles, including two commercial buses, two cars and two trucks belonging to Dangote Group and BUA Cement Company were involved in the crash that happened on Saturday around 10:23a.m.
Travelers along the badly damaged portions of the road have continued to groan, as it remains impassable following the rains in the past one month.
It was gathered that one of the commercial buses had a head on collision with a truck. The FRSC disclosed that out of the 40 persons who travelled in the affected vehicles, 10 sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Further findings revealed that of the number rushed to three different hospitals, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Hope Hospital in Auchi, and Agbede Hospital in Etsako West Local Council, five are currently on the danger list.
Motorists now make detours to villages and quarters within Ekpoma town in Esan West Local Council to avoid the many bad spots along the road. Areas badly affected include Emu/Musco Junction, Ujem Ughumudumu, and Palace Arena, all of which constitute the Old Benin-Auchi road.
The contract for the construction of the road, which links Benin-Auchi-Okene and Abuja was awarded by the Federal Government during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, but was later abandoned. Work began on the road early this year after the contract was renewed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.