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.