Tragedy in Abia state as 7-month-old baby, 2 others die in Aba auto crash

A seven-month-old baby was among three persons that were feared dead yesterday in Aba, Abia State following a ghastly auto accident involving a commercial tricycle and a Pilot Hilux van.

The accident occurred opposite Rowmay Hotels, along the Opobo-Ovom-Azumini Highway on the outskirts of the commercial city at about 12noon.

It was gathered that a Pilot hilux van alleged to belong to a popular industrialist in the city, which was conveying about three mobile policemen, was heading towards the residence of the man on high speed when the driver attempted to overtake a vehicle in front of him.

In the process, the Hilux van had a head-on collision with a Keke NAPEP with five passengers on board. Three of the passengers and the seven months old baby, who was backed by the mother died instantly.

A source said: “The car was coming from Opobo junction on a high speed, blaring its siren before it collided with the commercial Keke NAPEP which was coming from Ovom and was heading towards the Opobo junction.”

“The driver of the Hilux was trying to overtake a car and when he suddenly saw another car coming from the opposite direction, veered off his lane and collided with the Keke on the other lane. The tricycle tumbled as the passengers were trapped inside. We rushed to the scene immediately to assist them, unfortunately before help could come their way, three persons out of the five passengers involved in the accident were already dead.

When Daily Sun visited the accident scene, policemen from Azuka police station were already there to ascertain the level of damage.

A police source did not disclose the mortuary where the bodies of the dead were deposited, confirmed that three persons, including the baby died in the accident.