By Austin Ogwuda & Festus Ahon
ASABA—NO fewer than 20 persons, including National Youth Service Corps members and others travelling for the Christmas holiday, were roasted to death, yesterday,  following a ghastly motor accident on the Benin –Asaba highway.

The accident occurred by Mariam Banbangida Road Asaba at about 2pm.
Eyewitness said a trailer belonging to Julius Berger with registration number Abuja XL 987 ABC moving towards Benin lost control following a burst tyre, tumbled over the other side of the road after jumping the pavement.

Unfortunately, an 18-seater Toyota bus travelling from Lagos to the East with registration number Enugu XA 594 ENZ rammed into it immediately as it was on a break neck speed.

AUTO CRASH: Toyota Haice 18-seater bus with plate number Enugu XA 594 Enz and a Julius Berger trailer with plate number Abuja Xl 987 Abl at the scene of a fatal accident on Benin-Asaba Expressway, Asaba, yesterday. Photos Nath Onojake.

The two vehicles went up in flames.

Virtually all the occupants of the bus, which was also over loaded perished except two kids, who were immediately rushed to the hospital.

It was a gory sight as sympathizers wailed while personal effects littered the ground including NYSC uniforms.

As at press time,  the burnt vehicles were still in flames, while men of the  Fire Service  arrived the scene. Also men of the Federal Road Safety commission, FRSC, were on hand to direct traffic.