Five people were killed and eleven others were injured in a deadly car accident on Saturday along the Calabar-Itu highway.
The accident happened at 3 p.m. between a Nissan Caravan with the registration number GWB532XY and a Mack Truck with no registration number.
According to a statement released on Sunday by the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Akwa Ibom Command, Mr. Matthew Olonisaye.
According to a statement made by the command’s Public Enlightenment Officer, Mr. Paul James, the reason of the accident was overspeeding, and the disaster might have been averted if the motorists had followed safety laws.
“A fatal crash occurred on Saturday, December 2, 2023, along the Itu-Calabar road by Ayadehe at about 1510 hrs.
“The crash involved a Nissan Caravan with registration number GWB532XY and a Mark Truck with no registration number.
“Eleven males and five females were involved, and three out of the five females and two out of the eleven males involved were confirmed dead, while the remaining eleven males and females sustained injuries of various degrees.
“When the report of the incident was received, the FRSC operatives mobilised and moved over to attend to the situation. Upon arrival at the crash scene, the injured ones were moved to nearby hospitals for prompt medical attention, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the morgue.
“When inquiry was made as to the cause of the crash, it was gathered that the causal factor to the crash was Speed related according to eyewitnesses. After the evacuation of the victims, the road was cleared of the wreckages to enable free-flow of traffic”
Meanwhile, the sector commander has cautioned motorists to avoid overspeeding, wrong-way driving, and indiscriminate parking.
While underlining the need of driver safety awareness, the sector commander asked passengers to ensure that drivers are not overlooked when violations of road safety are noticed.
He expressed condolences to the relatives of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.