A fatal road traffic crash which occurred at Area Command Junction in Nnewi, involved six male adults, one female adult, and three female children.
Angel Network News (ANN) gathered that
the incident involved five vehicles: a black commercial Sino trailer with registration number UKP-540YP, a white commercial Mercedes lorry with registration number ATN-279ZK, and three motorcycles without registration numbers.
According to a press statement by RC Margaret B. Onabe, Anambra FRSC
Public Education Officer, the causes of the fatal crash were attributed to excessive speed, brake failure, and loss of control.
Eyewitnesses said the Sino trailer, fully loaded with cement, was descending a hill at high speed when it experienced brake failure, lost control, and collided with the Mercedes lorry. The trailer then crashed into a roadside shop, pushing the container shop into a nearby building.
Four male adults sustained injuries, while two male adults, one female adult, and three female children lost their lives.
Among the deceased victims, one male adult and one female adult were trapped inside a building.
The FRSC rescue team from Nnewi conducted an extrication, and the bodies of the deceased were transferred to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Akammili Umudim, Nnewi.
The Sector Commander of Anambra State, Corps Commander Joyce Nnennaya Alexander, visited the crash scene first thing in the morning, where she also met with the owner of the house that was destroyed by the trailer.
Alexander offered her condolences and assured him that he would be kept informed as investigations progressed. Also visited the landlord. She also visited the surviving crash victims at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Akammili Umudim, Nnewi, and noted that their recovery was progressing well. She established contact to receive regular progress reports.
At the crash scene, FRSC Operatives engaged with Police to ensure the safe offloading and trans-loading of the consignment of cement bags, while the Sector Commander directed the deployment of the FRSC heavy-duty tow truck to be on standby to tow the trailer out of the crash scene.
The Sector Commander assures that the Command will undertake all crash investigations and other procedures to ensure the absconded driver and the owner of the trailer are found. She expressed her condolences to the families of the deceased victims and advised motorists to regularly service their vehicles to meet minimum safety standards before using the roads.
