Raymond Ozoji, Awka
It was a festival of deaths at a police checkpoint in front of Savinovo hotel Ihiala along Onitsha-Owerri Expressway on Sunday as a heavy duty vehicle lost control and crushed vehicles in a long traffic jam caused by a police checkpoint.
A viral video of the unfortunate incident gaining prominence on the social media revealed a voice saying that the accident was a horrible sight and that over 13 lifeless bodies have been taken to the mortuary while several other injured persons were rushed to the hospital.
But on the contrary, the first information report on the fatal crash signed by the sector commander Mr. Adeoye Irelewuyi disclosed that only 4 persons lost their lives while 12 others sustained injuries. The report also disclosed that the fatal crash occurred opposite Ihiala police station and that only three vehicles were involved.
The report reads in part, “According to an eye witness, the driver of the trailer sighted the police checkpoint, matched his brake which failed him and he rammed into the two buses being checked by the policemen in front of him as a result of brake failure.
“The Injured persons were taken to Our Lady Of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala, for treatment while the corpses were deposited in the mortuary of the same hospital by the FRSC rescue team and OBS cleared.
“Free vehicular movements have been restored by FRSC rescue team, police and the military men.”
The sector commander however sent his condolences to the families of the deceased accident victims even as he also sympathised with the injured victims and wished them quick recovery.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker representing Ihiala federal constituency at the national assembly Hon. Barr. Ifeanyi Chudy Momah extended his sympathy to the injured victims and also implored families who lost their loved ones in the fatal autocrash to bear the loss with fortitude.
Momah in a statement said, “My Dear esteemed people of IHIALA LGA. Today is indeed a black Sunday for us as a people.
“It is with sadness of heart that I write to condole with us over this very unfortunate but completely avoidable accident which occurred near the Ihiala Police Area Command at the Police Checkpoint along Onitsha/Owerri Expressway today being Sunday 28th November, 2021.
“My heart goes out to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident. While we pray for the quick recovery of those that have been hospitalized.
“I want to strongly assure Ndi Ihiala Federal Constituency, that I will do all that is necessary within my office to ensure that proper measures are taken to address the issue with its cause and effect on the floor of the house and also measures to forestall such unfortunate occurrence within our Constituency in the possible future.”