This year’s edition of the yearly New Yam Festival in Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, was turned into a festival of blood and tears after a Mercedes Benz 911 lorry with registration number Enugu LG 66-BBG carrying plywood crashed into several other vehicles as well as people, killing about five masquerades and 15 people on the spot. Five other victims were later confirmed to have died from the accident which happened at about 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. The accident has been attributed to the lorry’s failed break.

News Express learnt that the driver of the lorry survived the accident but rather than mob him, the community rounded him up and handed him over to the police.

Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, was almost in tears when he visited the community this morning. He promised to take care of the hospital bills of all the injured and to also cater for the immediate families of the victims.

Governor Obiano commiserated with the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Goddy Ezechukwu, and the people for losing lives while celebrating an annual festival. He promised to start palliative work on Umuchu-Umunze road to make it more motorable.

The governor directed the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to make sure that no motorist exceeds the speed limit and also to be on the lookout for reckless drivers.

He called on the FRSC to henceforth confiscate any vehicle that is not road worthy and to stop them from plying any of the roads in Anambra State.

•Photo by Pamela Eboh shows the wreck of one of the vehicles crushed by the lorry . . . yesterday in Umuchu Aguata, Anambra State.