Anambra: Two die in truck-tanker inferno

Two persons have lost their lives while two others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a road crash that occurred opposite Jezco Filling Station along the Awka-Enugu Expressway, Anambra State.

The accident, which occurred late on Thursday, caused a gridlock along the road as it occupied a large portion of the road, leaving only a small space for motorists plying the route.

Eyewitnesses near the scene told City Round that the accident involved two commercial vehicles with a total of four persons in the vehicles.

“A total of four persons were involved in the crash, all male adults. Unfortunately, two male adults were killed in the accident, and two other male adults sustained various degrees of injury.

“It happened at about 11:47 pm on Thursday. The development caused heavy gridlock as it occupied a large space of the road.

“Due to ongoing road construction, the road was partially blocked. The driver of one of the trucks, travelling at high speed, suddenly applied the brakes.

“Then the tanker truck coming behind crashed into its rear, causing significant damage. Following the impact, the truck in front was crushed, and a fire subsequently broke out, resulting in an explosion,” one of the eyewitnesses said.

The Sector Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps, Anambra Sector Command, Margaret Onabe, confirmed the accident in a statement on Friday.

Onabe said two commercial trucks were involved in the crash.

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The first was a Mercedes 911 truck, while the second was a Mark Tanker truck belonging to Shafa Energy. Both had no registration numbers.

She said, “A total of four persons were involved in the crash – all male adults. Unfortunately, two male adults were killed in the incident, and two other male adults sustained various degrees of injury.

“The injured victims were rescued and immediately taken to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka by good Samaritans before the arrival of the FRSC rescue team.

“Efforts are currently ongoing towards the removal of the dead, who were trapped and burnt beyond recognition.”

According to her, the weather at the time of the crash was dark, and the road pavement was asphalt, attributing the suspected cause of the crash to Speed Violation and Loss of Control.

In response, the FRSC rescue team was on the ground within 10 minutes of the crash to manage traffic and ensure free flow of vehicles on the route.

In a statement issued, the Sector Commander, Anambra Sector Command, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, while commiserating with the families of the deceased, strongly advised motorists to avoid speeding, especially at construction zones, and to obey traffic regulations.

She further called on the relevant authorities to speed up the ongoing construction on the other lane and open it up to avoid double-way movement on a single lane, which poses danger to road users.

“The Corps reaffirms its commitment to making the roads safer for all motorists. Members of the public are enjoined to call the FRSC toll-free line 122 in case of emergencies,” the statement added.