The death toll in Thursday morning’s highway accident in Rivers State has risen to nine.
An Hiace commercial bus on its way to Port Harcourt from Delta had rammed into a truck at Emohua,bursting into flames.
Six persons died on the spot from severe burns.
The remaining three died at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital where they were rushed to for medical attention,sources said yesterday.
Authorities of the hospital could not be reached for confirmation.
The state police command and the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC) could also not confirm the death toll yesterday.
The Sector Commander of Port Harcourt zone of the FRSC, Mr. Edward Zamber only said: “a long truck facing Port Harcourt was reversing in the middle of the road, then an 18 seater Hiace bus also facing the same direction was apparently coming on high speed, but before he could see that the truck was reversing it was already too late.He ran into the truck, killing some of its passengers and injuring others.
“By the time Road Safety men got to the scene, five persons were already dead and some were rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital for treatment. “