Tragedy Strikes as Coaster Bus Crashes in Awka, Leaving One Dead and Many Injured

 

A tragic motor accident along the UNIZIK Temporary Site Junction in Awka, Anambra State, claimed the life of a 70-year-old man from Ogoja, Cross River State. The accident involved a Coaster bus and an eighteen-seater vehicle, which had been part of a convoy headed for a funeral.

According to reports from ABS, the ill-fated Coaster bus was transporting members of the Knights of the Catholic Church from Ogoja to Abatete, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, for the burial of their late member, Dr. Simon Ezego. Unfortunately, the trip took a devastating turn when the Coaster bus was involved in a fatal crash at the busy UNIZIK Junction in Awka.

Eyewitnesses and survivors of the crash provided chilling accounts of the events leading to the fatal collision. Pastor Christian Ikere, one of the passengers, revealed that there were visible mechanical problems with the Coaster bus even before the journey began. He stated that the bus had brake issues as they were leaving Ogoja, and despite repeated pleas to the driver to address the problem, the driver ignored their warnings. Tragically, the situation worsened, resulting in the catastrophic accident that would ultimately claim the life of one of the passengers.

Another survivor, Mr. Chidiebere Chukwu, confirmed that the convoy of three Coaster buses left Ogoja for the burial ceremony. He explained that the bus involved in the accident had been struggling with brake failure for a considerable portion of the journey. As they neared the UNIZIK Junction, the driver of the faulty Coaster attempted to warn other road users by waving frantically and trying to navigate around vehicles. Unfortunately, despite his efforts, the Coaster collided with an inter-city commercial bus that was loading passengers along the road. The impact was so severe that it caused a deadly crash, leaving one elderly man dead and several others injured.

In the aftermath of the crash, emergency services quickly arrived on the scene, and the deceased was promptly taken to a morgue. In addition to the unfortunate loss of life, twenty-nine other passengers sustained various degrees of injuries. They were rushed to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, for treatment. The condition of some victims remains critical, as medical staff work tirelessly to stabilize the injured.

The unfortunate accident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many questioning the responsibility of the driver and the lack of maintenance on the Coaster bus. According to eyewitnesses, the warnings regarding the bus's brake issues were not heeded, which contributed to the tragic outcome. This incident has highlighted the importance of vehicle safety, especially on long journeys involving large groups of people.

The loss of a member of the Knights of the Catholic Church has left the community in mourning, as many were looking forward to paying their respects at the burial ceremony of Dr. Simon Ezego. While the crash has cast a shadow over the occasion, church members and relatives of the deceased are now faced with the heartbreaking task of mourning the tragic loss of their loved one.

This incident is a grim reminder of the dangers posed by mechanical failures on the road, as well as the crucial need for timely vehicle maintenance. Authorities in Anambra State have promised to investigate the cause of the accident and take necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

As investigations continue, the family of the deceased, the survivors, and the community at large are left grappling with the aftermath of this heart-wrenching accident.