On Saturday, May 19, six people were killed at the Imo State University crossroads in Owerri when a caravan driver lost control and collided with vehicles and pedestrians.
It was reported that the incident occurred at 7 p.m.
Chidiebube Okeoma, an eyewitness to the incident, said he assisted convey some of the injured to the Federal Medical Centre in Owerri.
According to him, the driver of the heavy duty vehicle travelling from town to the Owerri-Okigwe lane of the road drove against traffic and collided with commuter buses carrying passengers
The vehicle smashed the victims on an electric pole nearby, leading to the death of some of the victims.
Some passersby attempted to save the victims by rushing them to nearby hospitals, but finding no doctors on duty, they later transported the victims to the Federal Medical Centre in Owerri.
While one died on the spot, medical personnel confirmed five other victims dead at FMC in Owerri.
Among the victims is a lecturer at IMSU who was identified as Dr. Nicholas Isinwa from the department of Marketing who hailed from the Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of the state.
The lecturer’s brother, Okpor Dominic said that his death was tragic and unfortunate.
Medical personal battled to save the lives of others who were in coma.
Okeoma said: “We took them to FMC after the nearby hospitals couldn’t offer any help. The vehicle smashed them after it lost control at the IMSU junction. Unfortunately six persons have been confirmed dead while others were being attended to.”
Residents called on the state government to put a permanent solution to perennial auto crashes that happen at the IMSU junction.
When contacted, the police spokesperson in the state, Henry Okoye, said that six persons died on the spot while others were being attended to at the FMC in Owerri.