ANAMBRA – An unfortunate accident which claimed the lives of many school children occurred along the Umuokpu Junction along the old Onitsha-Enugu Expressway, in Awka, the Anambra State government on Thursday, March 6, 2014.
A Toyota Camry ran into students of the Community Secondary School, Umuokpu and union Secondary School, Amawbia who were waiting for transportation by the side of the road after school hours.
According to reports, about seven of them died on the spot while others sustained serious injury.
The gory sight caused tears an sadness among people in the area.
One of the school children who died on the spot had her head crushed, another was trapped under another vehicle that tried to avoid colliding with the Toyota.
Another car, still trying ot avoid collision, drove into traders selling fruits and recharge cards by the roadside leaving many injured.
One of the victims was an old man who had his leg broken an an eye cut open.
The injured were rescued and rushed to the hospital.
According to reports, which sympathisers were rescuing the victims, the driver of the Toyota quietly climbed out of his car, crossed the road and took a cab and fled the scene.
Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps arrived 20 minutes later and towed the car away.
The Anambra State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Hyginus Omeje, confirming the incident said, “I am aware of the accident. I am, however, waiting for my men to give methe full details of what happened.”
The injured students are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
