Scene of the accident in Anambra
… As CP orders investigation into water tanker fatal accident in Enugu metropolis***
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra says that alone accident by an articulated vehicle on the Ihialla-Onitsha expressway has claimed the life of the driver.
FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mr Adeoye Irelewuyi, told the newsmen in Awka, on Friday that the accident occurred on Thursday night.
Irelewuyi said that the brake of the affected truck failed while speeding.
“Eyewitness report reaching us indicates that when the brake of the trailer failed, the driver, on sighting traffic gridlock ahead due to police checkpoint, decided to drive the vehicle into the bush.
“At that point, he tried to jump out of the vehicle but unfortunately, he was crushed by the vehicle.
“The victim was rushed to Our Lady’s Hospital in Ihialla and was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.
“His corpse was deposited at the hospital morgue by the FRSC rescue team,” he said.
Also read: 2 die in road accident in Kwara
The sector commander condoled with the family of the deceased and urged motorists to ensure that their vehicles were in good condition before plying the road.
In another development, The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Lawal Abubakar, has ordered a thorough investigation into the water tanker fatal accident in Enugu metropolis, leading to the death of six residents.
The newsmen recall that a water tanker ran into some commercial tricycles within Nze Street in the Independent Layout of Enugu metropolis killing six and injuring three others on Nov. 4.
Abubakar gave the order in a statement issued on his behalf by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, on Friday in Enugu.
“The Commissioner has ordered the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Motor Traffic Unit of the Command, to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal motor accident.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the water tanker, with registration number EDA 166 XB, which was set ablaze by the mob, suspected lost control due to brake failure, while descending the hill towards Nze Street, and ran into parked tricycles.
“This resulted in the death of six persons (four females and two males), whose lifeless bodies were rushed to the hospital by the police and were confirmed dead by doctors on duty.
“Meanwhile, their corpses have been deposited in the mortuary for preservation; while three others who sustained injuries were moved to the hospital and are responding to treatment,” he said.
The police spokesman said that the commissioner also commiserated with family members and friends of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident.
He said that the state police boss called on motorists to always maintain and ensure that their vehicles are generally checked and certified fit to ply the roads, to avoid ugly incidents.
