Fatal Road Accident In Akwa Ibom State: 16 Killed, 2 Injured On Calabar-Itu Highway
Deadly Collision Between Nissan Caravan and Mack Truck Results in Multiple Fatalities and Injuries
Fatal Road Accident In Akwa Ibom State: 16 Killed, 2 Injured On Calabar-Itu Highway
In a devastating incident on the Calabar-Itu highway, a catastrophic motor accident resulted in the death of 16 individuals, with two more suffering critical injuries. The accident occurred around 3:30 pm on Saturday, December 2nd, and involved a collision between a Nissan Caravan, bearing the registration number GWB532XY, and an unregistered Mack Truck.
An eyewitness, a minibus driver who identified himself as Silas, recounted the harrowing scene. He described how the Nissan Caravan, transporting passengers from Port Harcourt to Calabar, attempted an overtaking maneuver near Oku Iboku, close to the Head Bridge. In a dire twist, the Caravan found itself directly in the path of the oncoming truck, which was laden with gravels. In an effort to avoid a head-on collision, the Caravan tragically crashed into a stationary Mack Truck.
Silas, visibly shaken by the incident, reported, “I have never been this scared. There were 18 people in the Nissan, including the driver. Only two survived the crash, a man and a woman. The man seemed to have better chances of survival, but the woman was critically injured, with both her legs severed.”
The State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Matthew Olonisaye, confirmed the tragic incident through a statement released by the Command’s Public Enlightenment Officer, Mr. Paul James. Mr. Olonisaye attributed the cause of the crash primarily to over-speeding and emphasized that adherence to traffic safety regulations could have averted the disaster.
According to the FRSC’s report, “The calamity struck on Itu-Calabar Road by Ayadehe at about 1510 hrs. The crash involved eleven males and five females. Regrettably, five of these individuals lost their lives, and the rest sustained injuries of varying degrees. FRSC operatives promptly responded to the scene, ensuring the injured received immediate medical attention and the deceased were respectfully moved to the morgue. Post-incident analysis suggests that over-speeding was a significant factor in this unfortunate event.”
The aftermath of the accident saw FRSC personnel working diligently to clear the wreckage and restore traffic flow on the affected road. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and the devastating consequences of neglecting traffic rules.
The tragic accident on the Calabar-Itu highway is a solemn reminder of the fragility of life and the critical need for strict adherence to road safety protocols. As the families of the deceased mourn their loss, and the injured fight for their lives, this incident underscores the responsibility of every road user to exercise caution and respect traffic laws. The FRSC’s ongoing efforts to promote road safety are vital in preventing such tragedies and ensuring the well-being of all travelers on Nigeria’s highways.
