At least three people have d!ed and some others were injured when a trailer carrying a 40-foot container fell and crushed three tricycles at the Mgbaemene Bus Stop, near Upper Iweka, along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway.
The tragic incident occured at about 7:20am on Thursday, Oct. 16.
According to eyewitnesses, the driver of the trailer was trying to navigate a bad portion of the road that had huge pot holes but he lost control of the vehicle and it fell on the tricycles also attempting to navigate the same bad portion, trapping occupants.
Drivers, passers-by, and other residents immediately began rescue efforts and they managed to pull out some lifeless bodies, while more people were still trapped.
The incident angered locals and they made a bonfire to protest the government’s inability to fix the very deplorable road.
Security operatives, including personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps, who arrived at the scene atruggled to control the angry crowd
The spokesperson for the state FRSC, Margaret Onabe, confirmed the accident, adding that the victims, who were trapped under the trailer, were taken to the hospital, where they were pronounced de@d on arrival.
Onabe said the accident resulted in the de@th of two adult males, adding that a total of four male adults were involved in the crash, with two others rescued uninjured.
She said, “The FRSC RS5.31A Upper Iweka Outpost responded to a fatal crash on the Owerri-Onitsha Road at approximately 8:20am today (Thursday). The incident involved a tricycle and a trailer, resulting in the deaths of two adult males. A total of four adult males were involved in the crash, with two others rescued uninjured.
“Upon receiving the distress call, the FRSC rescue team was dispatched to the scene, where they collaborated with the police to secure the area and ensure a smooth flow of traffic. The victims, who were trapped under the trailer, were taken to the hospital, where they were pronounced de@d on arrival.
“The vehicles involved in the crash were as follows: the Keke (tricycle) was red in color and had no registration number; the trailer also lacked a registration number or any other identifying features.
“Eyewitnesses reported that the cause of the crash was a poorly maintained section of the road, which caused the trailer’s container to fall onto the tricycle.”
According to her, the FRSC towing van was used to lift the trailer off the tricycle, allowing for the clearance of the obstruction. She stated that the FRSC team successfully cleared the obstruction, restoring traffic flow.
She added that the FRSC Sector Commander, Anambra State Command, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, expressed her sadness over the incident.
“The FRSC is deeply saddened by the loss of lives in this tragic crash. We urge all road users to exercise caution and adhere to traffic rules to prevent such incidents. Our team responded promptly to the scene, and we are working to implement necessary measures to prevent future occurrences.
“The FRSC commends the police for their prompt response and cooperation,” she added.
See video from the scene below.
