From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
Tragedy struck on Tuesday at Awhum, a serene community in Udi local government of Enugu state, where a tree fell on two commercial vehicles, resulting in the death of 11 persons while four others were admitted in the hospital.
The incident happened on Tuesday at about 8.45pm within the Awhum market square/bus stop.
The Enugu State Police Command confirmed the incident in press statement made available to newsmen in Enugu,signed by the Police Public Relations Officer,PPRO, SP Daniel Ndukwe.
The Police statement said the 11 persons died after a large tree at the Awhum Village/Market Square fell on two vehicles, a Toyota Hiace bus and a Sienna mini- Van.
According to Ndukwe, Police from 9th Mile Division responded swiftly and with the assistance of community members, rescued four persons trapped in the vehicles.
” Regrettably, the eleven other victims were rushed to the hospital but were later confirmed dead by attending doctors”, Ndukwe stated.
The Enugu state PPRO said preliminary findings showed that the death persons were among the passengers conveyed in the vehicles from Old Park,Enugu.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has also confirmed the incident and the death of 11 persons.
The Sector Commander of FRSC Enugu State Command, Mr Franklin Agbakoba, said that tree fell on the vehicles afternath of a heavy rainfall,as passengers alighted from the vehicles
He lamented, “The road mishap involved 13 persons in total, which included: 11 female and two male.
“Unfortunately, 11 lives was lost at the spot, which included: 10 female and one male; even before 17 minutes response’s time on which the FRSC night rescue team navigated the terrain to the spot.”
Agbakoba narrated that the commercial Toyota Hiace bus stopped for passengers to alight when the tree fell on it.
