By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
Two persons were confirmed killed and some others rescued when a 40-feet container trailer on Thursday fell and crushed a tricycle at Mgbaemene Bus Stop, near Upper Iweka, along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway.
Our correspondent gathered that the trailer which plate number has been defaced, was navigating through the bad portions of the road towards Upper Iweka, when it fell together with the container it was carrying on the tricyclesriding beside it.
Eyewitnesses said the vehicle fell when the driver lost control as he got to the bad portions of the road.
“The accident occurred at about 7:20am as a result of the big pot holes which have take over large portion of the road. The tricycle operators usually make use of a small portion of the lane. The affected tricycle and the trailer were navigating the road, when the unfortunate accident occurred.
“Before we knew what was happening, we heard a loud noise and it was the trailer and its container falling on the tricycle and trapped the passengers.”
However, the personnel from the Rapid Response Squad had condoned off the scene while rescue efforts were still ongoing.
When contacted, 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 adult 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 on the tricycle.”
