Four members of the same family were on Saturday morning killed in a grisly accident along the Gulu- Kampala highway.
Among the dead was Dr Henry Benjamin Obonyo, a former minister, his wife Kevin Obonyo, their daughters Marjorie and Elizabeth Obonyo.
Two of their grandchildren identified as Annabel Lugone and Gabriela Lugone were rushed to St Mary’s Hospital Lacor in Gulu in critical condition but were later airlifted to Kampala, Acholi Times understands.
The tragic accident occurred at 10:30 am at St Thomas Moore in Bobi Sub County in Gulu district, about 32.2 km from Gulu town.
Dr Obonyo lives in London, United Kingdom and was travelling with his family to his ancestral home village in Madi- Opei in Lamwo district.
According to Wilbert Adekere, the officer in- charge of Bobi Police Post, the front tyre of the vehicle, a Super Custom van, silver grey in colour Reg. No. UAU 249K burst leading to the accident. Adekere says the vehicle overturned several times after the tyre burst.
The ill-fated vehicle, badly damaged, was towed to Gulu Central Police Station.
Washington Labeja, the OC Traffic at Gulu Central Police Station says the right front tyre of the car burst making the car to turn several times.
The driver of the special hire car from Kampala is said to have survived. This could not, however, be independently confirmed by Acholi Times.
Esau Langoya, the Chairperson Madi- Opei community in Gulu expressed deep shock over the death of Dr Obonyo and his family members. Langoya described the death as tragic.
The bodies of the dead were taken to Gulu Referral Hospital mortuary from where they were expected to be shifted to the 4th division military barracks which has a mortuary with functioning coolers.
Acholi Times will keep you informed on this story.