Two people, identified as a mother and her child, died instantly, while several others were injured and taken to hospital after a trailer lost control and crashed into a commercial bus at the Ulasi River Bridge, Okija Junction, in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
According to reports, the fatal crash occurred late on Thursday when the driver of the trailer experienced brake failure while approaching the bridge. The out-of-control vehicle rammed into a Toyota Hiace bus, resulting in multiple casualties.
Eyewitnesses and local residents alleged that the Toyota bus, which was travelling from the Upper Iweka area of Onitsha to Owerri, had been stopped on the bridge by touts allegedly demanding revenue from commercial drivers. It was at this point that the trailer, unable to stop, slammed into the stationary bus from behind.
A video of the aftermath, shared widely on social media, showed the badly damaged bus surrounded by passers-by and pedestrians attempting to free trapped passengers and assist the injured.
One witness, Ibeabuchi Edeoga, told City Round:
“The accident was caused by touts who blocked the road and were collecting revenue from commercial drivers. Unfortunately, a trailer truck that was speeding failed to brake and ran over the bus, killing two people — a woman and her child — instantly. Many passengers were rushed to a nearby hospital. All the victims were unconscious when they were taken there, and by this morning, some had passed away.”
Another witness, Uchenna Odinaka, described the scene:
“I was heading home when it happened. It could have been much worse if the bridge railings hadn’t stopped the truck from going further and hitting more vehicles and people. It happened during rush hour when everyone was trying to get home. The trailer driver and the motor boy were rescued. Two people died on the spot, and several unconscious victims were rushed to hospital.”
When contacted on Friday, the spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps in Anambra State, Margaret Onabe, confirmed the incident but said the casualty figure had not yet been finalised.
“Yes, we received the report of the accident, but we are still investigating the cause of the crash and will issue a statement with information soon,” she said.
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