Reckless driver kills spectators at the Bikers’ Carnival in Calabar

Emmanuel Alfred

A huge tragedy struck at the Carnival Calabar as a pregnant woman and no less than 7 other persons were crushed to death by a reckless driver during the Carnival in Calabar, Cross River State.

Reports has it that that the ugly incident happened on December 27, 2022, during the Biker’s Parade of the Carnival Calabar along Mary Slessor Avenue by Bogobiri, one of the major Carnival routes.

Eyewitnesses said a Toyota Camry with registration number “Cross River – DUK 505 PE” lost control and ran into a crowd of spectators watching the Biker’s Carnival.

One of the eyewitnesses who spoke under anonymity said more than 30 persons were affected by the auto crash. “Many of them have been rushed to the nearby General Hospital along Mary Slessor while others have been taken to the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital by Murtala Mohammed Highway.

“I don’t know what happened but the driver was at high speed when he lost control and swerved into a crowd of people watching the Biker’s Carnival. The driver, while seeing the ugly incident took to his heels. It was very tragic. I don’t think he is even part of the Carnival team as there was no sticker (Vehicle Pass) on his vehicle”, the eyewitness said.

When contacted, Mikano Hassan, Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Cross River confirmed the accident.