The Federal Road Safety Corps says its standard crash-response procedure prioritises saving lives, with critically injured victims evacuated ahead of less seriously injured casualties and deceased victims.

Its spokesman, Osondu Ohaeri, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja. Mr Ohaeri was responding to questions about the FRSC’s handling of accident victims and corpses. 

He explained that FRSC personnel were trained to secure crash scenes, control traffic, assess casualties by injury severity, and administer first aid where necessary.

He also said victims in critical condition were given priority and evacuated without delay to the nearest appropriate hospital or health facility. According to Mr Ohaeri, the corps’ rescue procedures require moving critical victims first, while those with less serious injuries receive appropriate first aid pending evacuation.

FRSC operates an Emergency Ambulance Service Scheme, popularly known as Zebra, as well as roadside clinics to facilitate emergency response to crashes.

He further said the public could report crashes and request emergency assistance through the corps’ toll-free 122 emergency line.

“Where there is uncertainty about a person’s condition, the appropriate approach is to treat the person as requiring emergency medical attention and evacuate accordingly. The corps’ position is clear; a person who may still be alive must receive emergency attention and must not be left at the crash scene merely because the person appears unresponsive,” Mr Ohaeri said.

He added that the definitive determination of death, particularly in doubtful cases, should involve qualified medical personnel.

Speaking on the handling of corpses recovered from crash scenes, the CPEO said FRSC personnel were expected to treat deceased victims with respect and dignity while paying due attention to identification and investigation.

According to Mr Ohaeri, FRSC’s rescue team are expected to first concentrate on saving people who are alive.

(NAN)