An official patrol van of the Abia State joint security outfit, “Operation Crush,” veered off the road and plunged into a ditch along a deteriorated section of the Umuahia-Bende Road on Sunday.

The incident, it was learnt, claimed the life of one of the security personnel while nine other members of the team were seriously injured and now receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.

The injured persons were rescued by the efforts of the indigenes of Isieke and other sympathizers.

The cause of the accident has not been officially established, just as the identity of the late victim remains unknown as at the time of this report, but some residents and sympathizers said the vehicle suddenly veered off the road before plugging into the ditch.

Also, one of the security personnel who was declared missing, later emerged from the bush alive.

Meanwhile, doctors at Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia are doing everything to save the lives of the injured officers, even as a senior official of Abia State government has visited the injured security personnel.