No fewer than three persons have been feared killed and some others still trapped 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 on Thursday.
Our correspondent gathered that the trailer, whose plate number had been defaced, was navigating through the bad portions of the road inward Upper Iweka, when it fell together with the container it was carrying and landed on the three tricycles beside it.
It was also gathered that the incident angered residents and motorists who made a bonfire to protest the government’s inability to fix the very deplorable road.
Eyewitnesses near the scene told PUNCH Metro that the vehicle fell when the driver lost control as he got to the bad portions of the Mgbaemene area of the road.
One of them, who pleaded to speak without identifying himself, said, “The accident happened at about 7:20am. Due to the huge potholes that have taken over a large part of the road, tricycle operators usually use a small portion of the lane. By the time the affected tricycles were also navigating the road, the trailer was also doing the same thing.
“Before we knew what was happening, we heard a loud noise, and it was the trailer and its container that fell on the tricycles. It trapped the passengers. Three people have been confirmed dead, while some others are still trapped under the container.”
Another eyewitness and a resident in the area also blamed the fatal accident on the bad portions of the road.
She said, “I was on the balcony of my house on the other side of the road when the trailer was heading towards the Upper Iweka area. It got to that bad portion of the road and slowed down, and was navigating through before it fell on the tricycles riding beside it.
“It took the intervention of passers-by, drivers, and other residents before rescue efforts began, where some parts of the tricycles and some lifeless bodies were pulled out.
“The security operatives, including personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps, had a difficult moment controlling the rampaging crowd, which had besieged the scene of the incident in anger against the neglect of the road.”
Our correspondent, who visited the scene, observed that personnel from the Rapid Response Squad had cordoned off the scene while rescue efforts were still ongoing.
However, when contacted on the development, 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 dead on arrival.
Onabe said the accident resulted in the death 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 dead 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.
PUNCH.
