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14 die in road Kampala-Gulu highway crash, over 40 survive with injuries
The Aswa Regional Police Spokesperson, David Ongom Mudong, said, “The police established that the driver of the bus was speeding. Even the truck could have been speeding. Witnesses said both the driver of the bus and that of the Lorry died instantly in the collision. We are yet to establish the particulars of the dead.”
The bus belonging to Opit Bus Company collided with a Lorry bearing Kenyan registration number plates that was travelling to Kampala from Juba in South Sudan on Tuesday night. (Credit: Dennis Ojwee)
By: Dennis Ojwee, Journalist @New Vision
OMORO - At least 14 passengers have been confirmed dead, while over 40 others sustained injuries after a bus collided head-on with a lorry at Kulo-Otit within Bobi sub-county, Omoro district, barely 20 km from Gulu City.
The bus belonging to Opit Bus Company collided with a Lorry bearing Kenyan registration number plates that was travelling to Kampala from Juba in South Sudan on Tuesday night.
The injured were rushed to various hospitals and health units, some in critical condition.
Both the bus and lorry drivers died in the accident that happened at around 9:30pm.
Police identified the bus driver as Abdu Ismail, but the Lorry driver had not yet been identified by press time.
According to police, the accident could have been caused by speeding occasioned by both drivers, yet it was nighttime.
The Aswa Regional Police Spokesperson, David Ongom Mudong, said, “The police established that the driver of the bus was speeding. Even the truck could have been speeding. Witnesses said both the driver of the bus and that of the Lorry died instantly in the collision. We are yet to establish the particulars of the dead.”
Mudong promised to give further details later after compiling the names. He said some family members of the deceased had already started arriving to claim bodies of their relatives.
According to police, the accident could have been caused by speeding occasioned by both drivers, yet it was nighttime.
The Aswa Regional Police Spokesperson, David Ongom Mudong, said, “The police established that the driver of the bus was speeding. Even the truck could have been speeding. Witnesses said both the driver of the bus and that of the Lorry died instantly in the collision. We are yet to establish the particulars of the dead.”
Mudong promised to give further details later after compiling the names. He said some family members of the deceased had already started arriving to claim bodies of their relatives.
He revealed that ambulances rushed the injured passengers to various hospitals and health units within Gulu City for medical attention. He said the dead were ferried to the Gulu Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for further handling.
Emmanuel Rubangakene, a son of the Proprietor of Opit Bus Company, told New Vision that a drunk man suddenly crossed the road, thereby causing the bus driver to lose control. "This resulted in the collision with the oncoming Lorry, which was also at high speed," Rubangakene said.
Rubangakene said the bus conductor, Stanley Odoch, and the turn-man, John Amone, were among those who died on the spot.
Sources at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor revealed that the hospital received at least 14 injured persons, some in critical condition.
The source said two of those in critical condition died shortly after arrival, while the condition of the remaining 12 had stabilised, with some discharged this morning.
Emmanuel Rubangakene, a son of the Proprietor of Opit Bus Company, told New Vision that a drunk man suddenly crossed the road, thereby causing the bus driver to lose control. "This resulted in the collision with the oncoming Lorry, which was also at high speed," Rubangakene said.
Rubangakene said the bus conductor, Stanley Odoch, and the turn-man, John Amone, were among those who died on the spot.
Sources at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor revealed that the hospital received at least 14 injured persons, some in critical condition.
The source said two of those in critical condition died shortly after arrival, while the condition of the remaining 12 had stabilised, with some discharged this morning.