By Asuquo Cletus
No fewer than two students of the University of Cross River State have lost their lives in a tragic road accident along the Calabar–Itu Highway.
The accident, which occurred at about 9:25pm on Friday at the Ikot Okon axis of the busy highway, involved a commercial coaster bus conveying the students and a heavy-duty container truck.
The Cross River State Police Command Public Relations Officer Sunday Eitokpah, confirmed the incident on Saturday, stating that one of the victims died on the spot, while another who was rushed to the hospital in critical condition later died in the early hours of the day.
Eitokpah said operatives were immediately deployed to the scene following a distress call.
He explained that the injured victims were evacuated to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital for urgent medical attention, while the corpses were deposited in the morgue.
Eitokpah added that the driver of the truck fled the scene before the arrival of security operatives, noting that a manhunt had been launched to apprehend the suspect.
He said, “Upon receipt of the report, police operatives promptly mobilised to the scene and coordinated the evacuation of injured victims to the hospital.
“The command commiserates with the families of the deceased and prays for the speedy recovery of those currently receiving treatment.”
The police spokesperson urged motorists to exercise caution, maintain safe speed limits, and obey traffic regulations to prevent further loss of lives.
