At least 42 passengers in a commuter bus narrowly escaped death on Tuesday in Onitsha when a tipper rammed into their vehicle.

The Anambra sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Adeoye Irelewuyi, confirmed the incident in a statement in Awka, the state capital.

Mr Irelewuyi explained that the accident occurred at 11:30 a.m. on the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway.

He stated that witnesses account revealed that the white-and-black colour Mack tipper, with no registration number, was at speed when it lost control and crashed into a Mercedes 608 bus with Reg. No: ENU355 UJ.

“The bus somersaulted and crashed.

“Forty-two persons, comprising 18 male adults and 24 female adults, were in the bus.

“Fifteen male adults and 24 female adults sustained varying degrees of injury and were rushed to Amaku Teaching Hospital by FRSC rescue team from RS5.3 Awka for medical treatment,” he stated.

Mr Irelewuyi added that no life was lost in the incident, which resulted in heavy traffic gridlock.

He added that the corps personnel from Awka command were on the ground to manage the traffic and ensure the wreckage removal from the road.

He warned motorists to desist from speed and cultivate a new driving culture this year to ensure safety on the nation’s highways.

(NAN)