Tragedy struck along the Makurdi-Otukpo Highway as six passengers lost their lives in a fatal accident involving an 18-seater bus belonging to Benue Links Nigeria Limited and a truck reportedly owned by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).
The crash occurred on Friday at about 4 p.m. near the abandoned Benue Burnt Bricks Factory and left 12 other passengers with varying degrees of injuries.
An eyewitness said the ill-fated bus was carrying passengers from Makurdi to Otukpo and had almost reached its destination when the accident happened less than three kilometres from Otukpo town.
According to the witness, five passengers died instantly at the scene, while another victim later died at the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital Otukpo (FUHSTHO), where the injured victims were taken for treatment.
“It is really unfortunate that the passengers were already in Otukpo and heading into town when the truck ran into the bus on the dusty road due to the ongoing construction work,” the eyewitness said.
“There was poor visibility because of the dust. The driver of the truck probably did not see the bus approaching and rammed into it. Five passengers died on the spot while another later died at the hospital,” he added.
The witness further stated that some of the 12 survivors, including a seven-month-old infant, sustained different levels of injuries.
A medical source at the hospital confirmed that the victims were admitted immediately and are currently receiving treatment.
“Under the guidance of the medical team, the patients are receiving treatment and are responding positively to care,” the source said.
Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of Benue Links, Johnson Ehi, said the transport company had taken responsibility for the medical bills of the injured passengers.
“The casualty figure is six, they are five males and one female. The bus was an 18-seater, it was travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo when the truck ran into it.
“The remaining 12 passengers are responding to treatment. We have taken over their medical bills at the FUHSTHO.”
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Udeme Edet, for comment were unsuccessful.
