Tragedy struck in Ebem Ohafia, Abia State, on Sunday, December 22, 2024, as an articulated vehicle carrying chippings fell on a Sienna space bus, leaving at least 10 passengers feared dead.
The horrific accident occurred along the Ohafia-Bende-Umuahia road when the truck, descending Nmuri Hill on its way to Ohafia from Umuahia, reportedly suffered brake failure. According to eyewitness accounts, the driver lost control, causing the truck to crash into the oncoming bus before toppling over and crushing it under its immense weight.
“The driver couldn’t control the truck, and it hit the car coming from the opposite direction before falling on it,” an eyewitness recounted.
Passengers trapped beneath the wreckage endured hours of agony, pleading for help as rescue operations struggled to respond effectively.
The eyewitness also attributed the accident to the poor state of the road, which has been left in disrepair for years. “Why has the federal government neglected this road for so long?” he questioned, expressing frustration over the preventable nature of the tragedy.
As of the time of reporting, efforts were ongoing to offload the chippings and lift the truck to recover the bodies of the driver and the passengers trapped underneath.
