5 injured, 4 vehicles smashed as trailer falls off Anambra bridge

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

No fewer than five persons sustained various degrees of injuries when a 40-feet trailer fell off from the Nkpor fly-over bridge on Saturday and crushed four vehicles under the fly-over, inflicting injuries on the five victims.

According to eye-witnesses, the trailer was climbing the fly-over when the driver lost its control, veered off the road and land-crashed on top of the four vehicles, including two shuttle buses loading passengers, an Audi car and a trailer passing by under the fly-over.

The eye-witnesses stated that at the last count, five persons, including passersby, a driver and passengers sustained various degrees of injuries.

It was gathered that one of the shuttle bus drivers who identified himself as Amaechi Eze, a native of Ukehe in Igbo-Etiti Local Givernment Area of Enugu state, narrowly escaped death because he just entered into a side drainage to rescue a small fowl which fell into the drainage and was crying for help when the trailer crash-landed from on top of the fly-over and smashed the four vehicles, including his own.

Amaechi Eze who expressed gratitude to God for saving his life, called on concerned citizens to come to his rescue now that his vehicle has been damaged beyond repair.

Confirming the incident, the Sector Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Anambra State Command, Margaret Onabe identified the smashed vehicles as a Mercedes-Benz articulated truck with registration number FTD581XA, A commercial shuttle bus with registration number ENU540ZJ. A commercial shuttle bus with registration number BKL661XA and An Audi Volkswagen car with registration number ENU528MK.

Onabe noted that FRSC received a distress call at about 1310hrs and the rescue team from RS5.31A Upper Iweka Outpost arrived at the crashed scene by 1315hrs, adding that a total of six male adults were involved in the crash. Two male adults sustained minor injuries, while four persons escaped unhurt as no fatalities were recorded.

She disclosed that preliminary investigation identified brake failure and veering off the bridge as the probable cause of the crash, adding that according to eye-witnesses, the trailer failed brake, veered off the bridge, and fell onto the other vehicles beneath the bridge.

The statement added: “Before the arrival of the FRSC rescue team, the injured victims had already been evacuated to a nearby hospital for immediate medical attention.

“To ensure free flow of traffic and prevent secondary crashes, the FRSC heavy-duty tow truck unit was promptly contacted to clear the obstruction caused by the affected vehicles.

“The Sector Commander, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno wishes the injured a quick recovery and advises motorists, especially operators of articulated vehicles and commercial transport services, to always carry out routine vehicle maintenance and ensure that braking systems are in proper working condition before embarking on any journey.

“The FRSC remains committed to its mandate of ensuring safer roads and prompt emergency response to road traffic crashes across the state. As of the time of this he report, normalcy is being restored on the road and the movement of vehicles.”

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