A 20ft Container Loses Brake, Falls On Cars, Tricycles At Upper Iweka, Onitsha, Many Feared Dead (PHOTOS)

A fatal accident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning where it was reported that the brakes of a trailer carrying a 20ft container failed in which 5 people were allegedly reported killed in the process. 

A detailed report, however, shows that at about 10.40 am Tuesday 9 June 2020 a fatal multiple Road Traffic Crash involving Seven (7) vehicles was recorded at TRACAS Bus Stop, along Awka-Onitsha expressway. The vehicles involved included:

a. Mack Trailer with registration number UMA259XB.
b. Toyota Previa with registration number ENU849XE
c. Toyota Precis with registration number ENU575ZU
d. Toyota Sienna with registration number JJT434ZF
e. Tricycle with registration number AAH705UW
f. Tricycle with registration number AGU482QE
g. Tricycle without a registration number.

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According to eyewitnesses, the brakes of the trailer which was carrying a 20ft container failed and the driver lost control of the vehicle. The trailer fell on other vehicles and tricycles involved. A total of ten people (8 male adults and 2 female adults) were involved in the crash. The victims were rushed to Toronto Hospital, Onitsha by the FRSC rescue team from Upper Iweka Outpost. Six (5males and 1 female) were confirmed dead at the hospital, while four (4) males were critically injured, but responding to treatment. The corpses were deposited at the morgue, in the same hospital.

The obstruction was cleared by Julius Berger Construction Company and the vehicles towed to Central Police Station, Onitsha.

The Sector Commander Federal Road Safety Corps Anambra State, CC Andrew A. Kumapayi strongly warns vehicle owners and drivers, especially articulated vehicle operators against plying the highway with faulty vehicles. They should ensure that their vehicles are checked and serviced regularly, with particular interest on the braking systems, to avoid unnecessary road mishaps. He sends his condolences to the families of the dead and wishes the injured victims quick recovery.

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