More than 10 victims of a multiple-car crashes on the Benin–Auchi highway were rescued on Friday by the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.
The governor, who was travelling with his entourage to Irrua in Esan Central Local Government Area of the state, came across a heavy gridlock shortly after the bypass and alighted to assess the cause.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that Okpebholo found many victims in critical condition while bystanders watched helplessly at the accident scene.
According to eyewitnesses, the governor ordered his aides to deploy two of his security Hilux vehicles to convey the injured persons to the hospital for urgent treatment.
He personally supervised as the passengers, including a woman with severe injuries, were lifted one after another into the waiting vehicles.
His intervention drew applause from motorists, residents, and sympathisers who witnessed the incident.
Eyewitnesses said the crash occurred after the driver of a white Toyota Venza, with registration number ABUJA GWA 50 AW, drove against traffic and collided with three commercial mini buses carrying passengers.
“The impact was terrible. People were screaming and bleeding, but no one knew how to move them until the governor stepped in,” one witness recounted.
The collision left many injured and caused a traffic standstill on the busy highway.
Okpebholo was said to have remained at the scene until he was assured that the victims had been safely conveyed to the hospital under the escort of another security vehicle before he continued his journey.
A motorist remarked, “The governor showed true humanity today. His swift action saved lives.”
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