Truck crushes two final year Akwa Ibom Polytechnic student to death

• The deceased, Abasifreke Okon, and Irene Edwin hailed from Ikot Abasi and Ibesikpo Asutan local government areas respectively

Two female students of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic in Ikot Osurua have died.

The duo met their end after they were crushed to death by a truck few metres away from the school premises on Monday.

The incident happened near the junction of Ikot Inyang village, along Aba Road in Ikot Ekpene local government area.

The deceased, Abasifreke Okon, and Irene Edwin hailed from Ikot Abasi and Ibesikpo Asutan local government areas respectively

It was learnt that the driver of the vehicle drove recklessly, lost control and crashed into the girls, killing them instantly.

They were said to be preparing for their practical examination, which was to hold on Wednesday when the calamitous incident happened.

The deceased, ND 2 Science Laboratory Technology students, described as “besties and inseparable twins,” were supposed to have completed their academic programme after their exams on Wednesday.

The management of the Polytechnic has since postponed the examinations, it was gathered.

Many of the deceased classmates were said be distraught and inconsolable as they wept profusely while the remains of the victims were evacuated to the mortuary.

The Akwa Ibom State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Matthew Olonisaye, attributed the loss of lives to reckless driving and non-adherence to the rules guiding road usage.

While commiserating with the families of the deceased, Olonisaye urged drivers to make the maintenance of their vehicles a top priority, saying accidents are caused and don’t just happen.

“It actually happened; it’s because of loss of control by the driver. We advise drivers to abide with the rules that guide the usage of the road, they should not be in a hurry.

“Drivers should also make vehicle maintenance a priority for any life lost cannot come back. An accident does not just happen; it is caused.

“I commiserate with the families of those who lost their lives,” he stated.