- 13 persons involved, seven died, six injured-FRSC
- Neighbour recalls last encounter with victims’ mother
Fresh facts have emerged about the family that died in an auto crash while travelling for Christmas celebration.
Contrary to reports that eight people died in the incident, The Nation investigation revealed that the causality figure was seven.
In fact, checks revealed that 13 people were involved in the auto crash. Six people survived the incident.
Eyewitnesses who spoke with The Nation narrated how they helped to pull out rods which pierced the bodies of the eight family members involved in the auto crash which occurred on December 29, 2023 at the Amanwozuzu junction in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State.
The family was traveling home with 13 persons for the New Year celebration when their Sienna car Reg no ACH 318 AA ash colour rammed into a stationary truck transporting rods.
Our findings revealed that the family took off from their residence at Umuerim in Umudibia Autonomous Community, Owerri West LGA and were heading to their hometown at Ehime Mbano when the accident occurred.
The deceased were all members of a single family, including the father, John Anyanwu, wife, and children.
A visit to their residence at Umuerim showed quietude as neighbours wore sad looks.
Expressing deep grief over the accident, one of the neighbours, Ijeoma Opara said she saw the late Mrs. Anyanwu a day before the accident when she came to the Anglican Church inside the Nekede Federal Polytechnic compound where they both worshipped to carry out church service.
“When we finished cleaning the church compound, she asked me if I knew the way that leads to their residence though the back gate. I didn’t know we were having the last encounter, ” she said sobbing.
One of the youth leaders in the area who gave his name simply as Udoaka stated that the rod pierced through the bodies of the victims, and the vehicle had to be broken to bring out the lifeless bodies of the family members.
“We pulled the lifeless bodies from the rod, it was a gory sight as the human flesh was forcefully pulled out of the rod with blood. My brother I don’t want to recount the experience, I will never wish my enemy such a horrifying experience,” he said sadly.
Additionally, another eyewitness, Chief Matthias Ngerem said that the stationary truck carrying the rods was blocking the road, emphasizing that the tragedy could have been averted if the truck had not parked on the road.
But the Federal Road Safety Corps Sector Commander, Evaristus Ebeniro told our correspondent that preliminary investigation revealed that the stationary truck was off the road when the driver of the sienna car who was on high speed rammed into the truck.
“Our preliminary investigation which is ongoing shows that the truck driver was adding water into his radiator probably due to the issue of overheating when the man who as eyewitnesses confirmed was on high speed rammed into the truck.
“He said the Sienna driver who was said to be on a high speed could have been distracted by the children. How can you carry a whole family and you are speeding? It was possible it was too late when he saw the truck.
“However, we are still investigating the accident under what is called Crash Investigation, a thorough investigation which could be tendered in court.”
According to him, “the report will soon be ready as it takes one week to conclude the Crash Investigation.”
He explained that the vehicles had been moved to the police station which was close to the scene of the accident while the investigation continues.
Contrary to reports that eight persons were killed in the auto crash, he revealed that it was 13 persons that were involved in the accident with seven dead and six injured.
“13 persons were in the Sienna car, seven died, six were critically injured,
In all, two adults and 11 children were in the car, ” he stated.
We are yet to ascertain the identities of the victims involved in the accident, but we are carrying out as I said earlier a thorough crash investigation on the registration of the vehicles on our database.”
Though the government of Imo State has not announced specific measures to prevent similar accidents, the FRSC Commander said that the government would continue to enlighten the public, particularly road users on the need to avoid over speeding.
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He said in general, the government typically works with law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities to improve road safety through measures such as enforcing traffic laws, maintaining road infrastructure, and conducting public awareness campaigns.
However, the state Police Commissioner, CP Aboki Danjuma, who spoke to The Nation through the police spokesman, Henry Okoye, said that the command was investigating the truck driver with a view to arraigning him if found guilty.
“We are investigating to check if the truck was obstructing traffic and at the end, we are going to arraign the person that caused the accident with appropriate charges.”
He said, however, that proper parking and adherence to road safety regulations could have potentially averted the tragedy.
“This highlights the importance of following road safety measures to prevent accidents and ensure the well-being of all road users.”
He said the lifeless bodies of the corpse have been deposited at the mortuary for preservation while discreet investigation is ongoing to ascertain the remote cause of the accident.
The Commissioner of Police Imo State Command prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims that lost their lives in the tragic incident and their family the fortitude to bear the loss.
He cautioned motorists to obey traffic rules while driving and avoid over speeding which is the major cause of most road accidents.