Three centuries old tree falls, kills 11 in Awhum - Enugu

A gigantic tree, Ukwuakpu, in Awhum market square, Udi local government area of Enugu State, believe to have lived for over 300 years, on Tuesday night fell, killing eleven commuters along 9th mile -Nsukka old road.

A native of the community, Mr. Chukwudi Achife told Vanguard that even though parts of the tree used to fall, it never killed anybody.

"The tree parts will usually fall when people are gone from the market square. We are surprised at last night's unfortunate incident," Achife said.

In their separate accounts, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, and the Nigerian Police confirmed the incident, advising that communities should always keep watch on such aging tree and maintain them for safely reasons.

The Sector Commander of FRSC Enugu State Command, Mr Franklin Agbakoba, said that the road mishap happened at about 9:20p.m. on Tuesday at the Awhum Market.

He said that the mishap involved a commercial Toyota Hiace Bus; a commercial Toyota Sienna car and the fallen gigantic tree.

According to him, the unfortunate incident of the falling of the gigantic tree was occasioned by a heavy rain.

He said, "The road mishap involved 13 persons in total, which included: 11 female and two male. Unfortunately, 11 lives was lost at the spot, which included: 10 female and one male; even before 17 minutes response time on which the FRSC night rescue team navigated the terrain to the spot."

The Sector Commander said that the FRSC night rescue team had deposited the dead victims at Hospital Morgue in 9th Mile Corner near Enugu.

Agbakoba states that while the villagers obliged with their Mythco Chainsaw to cut the fallen tree, the Enugu State Traffic Management Agency (ESTMA) Heavy Duty Tow Truck was activated to the crash scene and pulled away the heavy tree branches blocking traffic flow.

On its account, the Enugu State Police Command also confirmed tragic incident, stating that preliminary findings indicate that the vehicles had conveyed passengers from Old Park, Enugu, and were heading to various villages within the Awhum/Okpatu axis. 

"They had stopped to drop off passengers when the tree, weakened by heavy rainfall, strong winds, and apparent internal decay, collapsed on them."

The Commissioner of Police, Bitrus Giwa commiserated with the families of the deceased and the entire Awhum Community over the unfortunate incident. 

He further advised community leaders and residents across the State to regularly inspect and maintain large or aging trees around markets, motor parks, schools, and residential areas, particularly during the rainy season, to prevent similar tragedies.

The road was later opened and free traffic flow restored.