The 2022 Bikers Carnival abruptly came to a halt as tragedy struck Two kilometres into the event around the Bogobiri axis of the 12 kilometre route in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, southern Nigeria.
The otherwise exciting event turned sour when an unmarked car found its way into the fleet of vintage cars on parade and before anyone would realise what was happening, the driver of the unmarked vehicle lost control and plunged into unsuspecting spectators, who lined the carnival route to catch a glimpse of the road show.
Aniekan Joseph, who witnessed the incident described it as unfortunate stating, “we do not really know what happened with the driver, he just saved and lost control. I believe some people may have died, while others sustained grave injuries.”
Another eye-witness, a young lady, who declined to be named told voice of Nigeria this: “I need to go home now. I was on one of the motorcycles and just seen how a car lost control and entered a crowd of onlookers here at Bogobiri. I fear that people will die or if anyone is lucky, they will have serious injuries. I’m so sad about this incident.”
However, a plain security personnel informed Voice of Nigeria correspondent that the victims have been transferred to the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital for treatment.
Also, an official of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, who also declined to be named insisted that the vehicle involved was not part of the vintage cars accredited for the parade and could not be certain how the unmarked car gained access to the route.
Due to the tragic incident, the carnival commission called off the Bikers and vintage cars parade.
There would be more on the story as events unfolds.
O.O
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