By CHARLES IWUOHA

A fatal auto crash along Okigwe – Afikpo Expressway has claimed the lives of 10 persons while two others sustained serious injuries.

The accident occurred on Ishiagu axis in Ivo Local government Area of Ebonyi State on Monday afternoon, February 8, 2021.

News Express gathered that the accident occurred when a bus belonging to Abia Line Network coming from Umuahia to Afikpo lost control due to excessive speeding, killing almost all the passengers on board.

An eyewitness said: “The driver could not negotiate a bend due to high speed and he lost control and somersaulted multiple times inside the bush; we were able to rescue two persons before the bus caught fire and we ran away.”

It was further gathered Chief Onyebuchi Ogbadu, the Ivo Local Government Area chairman, brought water tankers and put out the fire.

“Also, the police and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) teams quickly moved the two persons alive to a nearby hospital where they are now receiving medical treatment.

“More than ten bodies burnt beyond recognition have been evacuated to the mortuary by FRSC officials,” the source quoted earlier said.

When contacted, Mrs Loveth Odah, Ebonyi Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the accident but noted that she had yet to be fully briefed on the cause of the accident and number of casualties involved.

“We have received information about the fatal accident which happened today along the Ishiagu axis of Okigwe – Afikpo highway but the Divisional Police Officer is currently at the scene of the crash.

“He will give us a clear picture of the incident but for now, I can’t confirm to you the actual number of casualties or the cause,” Odah said.