Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has described the fatal road crash involving students of the University of Cross River State, UNICROSS, as a devastating tragedy that has plunged the state into mourning.
The Governor, represented by his Special Adviser on General Duties, Ekpeyong Akiba, visited injured students receiving treatment in four hospitals in Calabar, assuring them of government support following the accident which claimed the lives of three students and a university staff member along the Calabar–Itu Highway.
The tragic accident occurred Friday night at Ikot Okon in Odukpani Local Government Area when a coaster bus conveying twenty-four UNICROSS students and a staff member reportedly collided with a container truck while returning from an official assignment in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Among those who lost their lives were the Students’ Union Government Director of Sports, Solomon Uya, Faculty of Physical Sciences Students’ Association President, Lucky Erim, Educational Management student, Favour Darlington, and the driver of the bus, Anthony Arikpo.
Reports say more than twenty students sustained varying degrees of injuries after rescue efforts by security agencies and the Federal Road Safety Corps.
The governor further assured survivors and their families that the state government would continue to provide support while praying for the speedy recovery of those currently hospitalised.
One of the surviving students, who recounted the incident, described the experience as traumatic, saying the crash happened suddenly and threw passengers into panic.
As investigations into the crash continue, the tragedy has once again renewed concerns over safety along the Calabar–Itu Highway, a road that has witnessed several fatal accidents over the years.
Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie
