By Akakan Umoh
Four persons who escorted corpse for burial in Akwa Ibom State have perished in auto crash along Calabar-Itu Federal Highway.
Though their identities were not known, the four persons coming from Calabar died instantly in the crash that occurred opposite New Life Assembly, Odiok Itam in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom on Saturday, January 25.
Despite the death of the four, the coffin did not break throwing out the corpse to the busy road.
Confirming the incident to Straightnews in a telephone interview on Saturday, the command’s Public Enlightenment/Public Relations Officer, Paul James, Federal Road Safety Corp, FRSC, RS6.3 Akwa Ibom State Command, said the accident involved a mini-bus and a Mack truck.
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According to him, the mini-bus vehicle that conveyed the coffin ran into a moving truck at about 4 a.m.
“Unfortunately, four persons in the mini-bus (Dazzle High jet) number: DUK 230 XD were crushed to death.
“When our operatives arrived at the scene of the incident, they evacuated the corpses and deposited them in a morgue in Uyo.
An eye witness, according to James, attributed the cause of the auto crash to over speeding and poor lighting effect by the driver of the mini-bus.
He noted that considering the dusky period of the dawn, the driver of the mini-bus might have been affected by poor visibility.
The Corp Public Relations Officer, therefore, advised motorists to go on a reasonable speed and to ensure their vehicles are equipped with up-to-date but functional lighting system.
He, on behalf of Mr. Edward Odiete, the FRSC Sector Commander, Akwa Ibom Command, also enjoined motorists to avoid over speeding, which probably could cause road accident.
Death averted along Udo Udoma Avenue
Meanwhile, death was averted during a motor accident that occurred along Udo Udoma Avenue involving a Lexus saloon car with a covered plate number and a Toyota Camry.
The incident took place at about 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, 25 January.
Eyewitnesses reported that the driver of the Lexus, a young girl, who over sped while she was heading to Aka Road lost control of the vehicle.
The car veered off the road, colliding with a pavement, knocking down several electricity poles, before it crossed to the opposite lane and crashed the Toyota Camry.
The Lexus sustained severe damage, with the airbags deployed.
The police officers who arrived at the scene, both the young girl driving the Lexus and the driver of the Toyota Camry were unconscious and unable to communicate clearly.
Emergency services were quickly arranged to transport the victims to the hospital.
