Ten members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Ughelli South Chapter, Delta State, narrowly escaped death Sunday evening after the bus they were traveling in crashed while returning from the state’s Teachers Day celebration in Asaba. Four victims are currently in critical condition at the hospital.
The incident occurred at the Akiowhe Community when the bus driver, traveling at high speed, attempted to overtake a moving truck and slammed into it from the rear.
An eyewitness described the accident as avoidable, noting the driver’s negligence amid heavy rain.
“The accident was avoidable if the driver had been careful as it rained heavily that day,” the witness said. “The driver was on top speed as he attempted to overtake the truck and he rammed into it from behind.”
The crash resulted in severe damage to the front of the bus, with the driver sustaining a broken thigh. It required community intervention to rescue the passengers, including one teacher who was revived after being unconscious.
Divine Escape
Two victims, speaking from the hospital, expressed profound gratitude for surviving the crash.
“We thank God for saving our lives. We thought we were going to die. But we are alive, it was a divine escape,” one of the victims stated.
The teachers also commended the state government’s quick response, noting that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori dispatched representatives, including three commissioners and the Chairman of the Post-Primary Education Board (PPEB), to the hospital to ensure the injured received adequate medical care.
As of Tuesday morning, four victims, including the driver, remained hospitalized and were undergoing treatment.
