From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
The death toll in the motor accident in Ebonyi State involving some prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Wednesday has risen to four. The corps members were heading to the NYSC orientation camp in Afikpo, Afikpo Local Government Area of the state for their three-week orientation course when the 14-seater bus conveying them rammed into a parked truck.
They were part of the 2024 Batch C Stream 2 corps members posted to serve in the state and were heading to the MacGregor College Permanent Orientation camp of the NYSC in Afikpo Local Government Area.
The accident, which involved an Enugu North Mass Transit bus that they boarded, ran under a stationary truck within the Okposi axis in Ohaozara LGA, resulting in the loss of lives and injuries. One female corps member was said to have died on the spot while other injured passengers were rushed to the David Umahi University Teaching Hospital, Uburu for treatment.
A statement from the hospital published on its social media handles said the death toll had risen to four.
The statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Hospital, Agwu Nwogo, said 13 victims were rushed to the hospital around 3 pm.
“Upon arrival, two victims succumbed to their injuries, two were transferred to the surgical ward, while the others were admitted to the accident and emergency ward.
“Notably, one corps member escaped without injuries, while the driver sustained severe cervical injuries.” The statement put the total number of deaths from the accident at four, of which two are corps members.
“The survivors are now recuperating, and hospital officials are optimistic about their chances of making a full recovery “, the statement said. The statement said Mrs Foluke Oladeinde, the NYSC State Coordinator, earlier on Thursday led a team to the Chief Medical Director of DUFUTH, in company of the camp commandant, to ascertain the condition of those hospitalised and to appreciate the hospital medical team.
Oladeinde also said the victims’ medical bills would be covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme.