60-passenger bus escapes tanker collision, crashes into drainage
At least 60 people were spared the agony of death after their bus crashed into a drainage on Friday.
It could have been worse as the commercial luxury bus driver avoided ramming into an onrushing fuel tanker.
The freak crash happened along Enugu-Onitsha Expressway. All occupants of the bus are alive.
Eye witness John Obi said the bus with plate number LAGOS KRD 730 XJ, belonging to Young Shall Grow motors, took off from Onitsha and was heading for Taraba State.
Obi said the passenger bus, which was descending the Kwata bridge just before the popular UNIZIK junction in Awka, on top speed was trying to avoid an unmarked petrol tanker.
He said that the tanker was turning on the Expressway after discharging its content at a nearby filling station.
He said though, no live was lost but some passengers sustained various degrees of injuries.
One of the victims, who identified himself as Chukwudi said he was thankful to God for the narrow escape but was not psychologically balanced to speak further.
“I just thank God, because this could have been my last day, for me I thank God,” he said.
Another passenger, Hajiya Rekia, a nursing mother was just shouting “Nagode Allah, Nagode Allah” (thank God).”
The Vice Chairman of Red Cross Society in Anambra, Prof. Peter Katchy, whose team was part of the rescue team confirmed that there was no death but few passengers sustained minor injuries which had been treated.
Katchy called on the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to restore the electric pole that was knocked down and remove cables lying dangerously on the Expressway.
“It was a serious crash and we responded immediately but thank God no death was recorded.
“We have called on the EEDC to immediately remove the pole and wire from the highway.
“We do not know the immediate cause but it would be known after our investigation,” he said.
Meanwhile, combined team of Police, FRSC, NSCDC personnel, and the state Fire Service were at the scene of the accident.
*Photo: Luxury bus crashes into Lagos canal.
