Many Burial Attendees Die as Fully-Loaded Bus Collides with Tipper in Anambra
By Erewunmi Peace
A tragic road accident has claimed multiple lives in Anambra State after a fully-loaded commercial bus returning from a burial ceremony collided with a tipper truck along the Awka–Onitsha Expressway.
The crash occurred on the Nawfia axis of the highway and involved two vehicles — a Toyota Hiace bus and a Howo tipper — according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Adeoye Irelewuyi, confirmed that six people died on the spot. The victims include two men and four women, while five women sustained varying degrees of injuries. Twenty-one other passengers escaped unhurt.
Eyewitnesses said the passengers were returning from a burial ceremony of members of a religious women’s group before the unfortunate incident occurred. Reports indicate that the bus driver lost control while attempting to overtake, leading to a direct collision with the tipper truck.
Emergency responders from the FRSC quickly arrived at the scene, evacuating victims and clearing the road to restore traffic flow. Injured persons were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, while the dead were deposited at the morgue.
The FRSC has warned motorists against speeding, wrongful overtaking, and driving under fatigue — factors often responsible for recent road crashes in the state.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine the full cause of the accident.
