By Nwabueze Okonkwo

ONITSHA—No fewer than five persons were killed yesterday in a ghastly accident involving a trailer loaded with metal scraps and a commuter bus.

The incident took place at Ugwunwasike Ogidi by-pass in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

According to an eyewitness, the incident occured when the two vehicles had a head-on collision during which five of the passengers died on the spot, while about four others sustained serious injuries.

It was gathered that the trailer driver and his conductor ran away to an unknown destination.

The auto crash occurred when the trailer with registration number, XE 808 JJT was coming from Ogidi building material market to Ugwunwasike roundabout, while the bus was coming in the opposite direction .

An eyewitness told newsmen that he saw dead bodies trapped as rescue men were fighting to bring them out.

Confirming the incident, Ogidi Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Mr. Hassan Musa, said the dead were trapped when the police arrived.

He said: “My DTO one and two are with me and the injured ones have been rushed to the nearby Iyienu mission hospital, Ogidi, adding, when the corpses are removed from the accident scene they will be taken to the morgue at Iyienu Hospital Ogidi.”

He, however, confirmed that only three persons died, and urged motorists to always avoid overspeeding.