A tragic auto crash on Saturday along the Calabar-Itu highway in Cross River State has resulted in the loss of five lives and left 11 individuals injured. The accident involved a Nissan Caravan with registration number GWB532XY and a Mark Truck without a registration number.
The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Akwa Ibom Command, Mr Matthew Olonisaye, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday. The statement, signed by the Public Enlightenment Officer of the command, Mr Paul James, attributed the cause of the accident to speeding, emphasizing that adherence to safety regulations could have prevented the tragic outcome.
The crash occurred around 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2023, along the Itu-Calabar Road by Ayadehe. Out of the 16 occupants involved (11 males and five females), three females and two males were confirmed dead, while the remaining 11 individuals sustained various degrees of injuries.
Upon receiving the report, FRSC operatives swiftly responded, attending to the injured and transporting them to nearby hospitals for immediate medical attention. The deceased victims were also moved to the morgue.
The sector commander cautioned road users, especially motorists, against speeding, wrong-way driving, and indiscriminate parking. He emphasized the importance of safety consciousness among drivers and advised passengers to report any observed deviance from road safety guidelines.
The sector commander extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured individuals a speedy recovery.
