Tree Crushes Commercial Bus In Enugu, Several Feared Dead
Several travellers were reportedly killed on Tuesday night after a large tree brought down by heavy rainfall collapsed onto a moving commercial bus along the Ukwu Akpu Awhum axis of Enugu State, leaving passengers trapped and vehicles destroyed.
Residents said the incident happened during a torrential downpour accompanied by strong winds that uprooted the tree and sent it crashing onto the highway, striking an 18-seater bus said to be heading towards 9th Mile.
Eyewitnesses said the impact forced the bus to lose control and overturn, leaving it badly mangled and trapping many passengers inside.
One resident said the rain and wind intensified suddenly before a loud crash was heard, after which people rushed out and found a large tree lying across a bus on the road.
Another witness described the aftermath as distressing, saying the vehicle was crushed and several passengers were trapped while crying out for help.
Local sources added that a car was also involved in the accident and that the bus was fully loaded, raising fears that multiple lives were lost.
A message circulated within the community shortly after the incident warned residents to check on relatives who might have been travelling along the route, reporting that the crash had claimed lives.
Emergency responders, including community volunteers and local vigilante groups, were said to be the first at the scene, working in heavy rain and poor visibility to rescue survivors and move the injured to nearby hospitals.
Residents said some victims were evacuated quickly despite the difficult conditions.
Preliminary accounts indicate that the strong winds during the downpour likely caused the tree to topple onto the busy road.
The tragedy has reportedly thrown the Awhum community into mourning, with residents calling for the inspection of roadside trees and improved emergency response to prevent similar incidents.
Efforts by SaharaReporters to obtain a response from the Enugu State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command’s spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, did not answer calls or respond to a text message as of the time of filing the report.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
