Multiple crash claims Anglican priest, 12 others in Delta

FROM PAUL OSUYI, ASABA

A priest of the Asaba Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rev. Stanley Ejiniwe was among 13 persons who lost their lives in a multiple auto accident which occurred near Atakpo River in Ibusa, along Asaba-Ogwashi-Uku road in Delta State.
Four other persons who survived the crash were said to be receiving treatment at St. Joseph Catholic Hospi­tal and St. Rebecca Hospital both in Asaba, the state capi­tal while the corpses were deposited at the General Hos­pital, Ibusa.
The accident involved a Ford bus with registration number GWK 684 XA be­longing to Christ Anglican Church, Ibusa; Mitsubishi L300 with registration num­ber BJ 831 AKD; a com­mercial bus; and a Honda car numbered BEN 413 CF.
An eyewitness said the priest who was recently trans­ferred to Ibusa was alone in the Ford bus belonging to his parish, while the driver of the commercial bus was also among the dead victims.
According to the eyewit­ness, the priest was descend­ing the hills from Ibusa end while the fully loaded com­mercial bus was ascending before they had a head-on collision, adding that the Honda car which was com­ing from Ibusa and on high speed rammed into the ve­hicles.
Confirming the accident, Delta State Sector Com­mander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Rindom Kumven said the thirteen dead victims were made up of eleven males and two females.
Kumven attributed the accident to over speeding and poor visibility while he advised motorists to reduce their level of speed on high­ways and always be con­scious of the various barri­ers including potholes and bumps on the road.