Hospital-bound ambulance kills three in Oyam

ACCIDENT

OYAM - A freak accident happened at a trading centre in Oyam district when an ambulance transporting an expectant mother to hospital hit four people, killing three of them.

Eyewitnesses say the driver lost control of the Landcruiser ambulance as he reportedly attempted to avoid hitting a cyclist - and as he did so, he knocked four people said to be of the same family.

The ambulance from Pope John Hospital, Aber was rushing an expectant mother to hospital for delivery.

One person (a toddler) died on the spot, another succumbed to injuried just after arriving at Pope John Hospital while another, a juvenile, died hours later.

Another victim, seriously injured, is battling for her life.

The incident happened at Corner Atapara trading center in Aber sub-county, Oyam district on the road to Pope John Hospital, Aber at around 7:30pm on Sunday.

George Opio, the father of one of the victims, said his daughter, Hilda Alobo, 13, passed away at around 4:00am on Monday. His daughter-in-law, 25-year-old Nancy Acir, is still in hospital in serious condition.

Opio said they were heading to Corner Atapara trading centre when the accident occurred.

His son's daughter, two-year-old Blessing Angwec, died on the spot. Job Omara (Opio's son) said his sister had been stung by a wasp and they were on their way to the trading centre to buy medicine for her.

His wife (Acir), who was serioiusly injured in the accident, had asked to accompany them to the ill-fated trip.

Opio said he saw the vehicle lose control and swerve off the road, crashing into the pedestrians, all residents of Awelo-Mak-Kweri village in Akaka parish, Aber sub-county.

Oyam district traffic officer Apollo Sirvasco arrived at the scene of the accident shortly after it had occurred. He identified the other victim as 20-year-old Nighty Ayugi.

The actual events leading to the fatal road crash are not known, but based on what some of the eyewitness accounts, speeding on the part of the ambulance was a key factor.

Others pointed to recklessness on the part of the driver.

Meanwhile, amid the tragic turn of events, the expectant mother arrived at the hospital safely and delivered a healthy baby boy.