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Raymond Ozoji, Awka
It was a monstrous Monday in Anambra state as a multiple road crashes involving seven vehicles and nine persons, claimed one life and left several others with varing degrees of severe injuries.
According to the first information report on the cause of the crash, released by the Public Education Officer of the Anambra Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission, RC Paschal Anigbo, the sector commander, CC Andrew Ayodele Kumapayi observed that the accidents were caused by over-speeding, wrongful driving and break failures.
The situation report says, “A multiple road traffic crash involving seven vehicles was recorded today Monday 11 May, 2020 at Obosi-Nkpor road near Elohim Oil Project Nig. Ltd.
“The vehicles involved included: Mack (Tanker) conveying cooking gas, with registration number AKD246XV, Mitsubishi Diana with registration number GDD259ZE, Toyota Pickup registration number NEN402ZD, Mercedes Benz Truck with no visible registration number belonging to Rico Pharmacy Industries Ltd.
“Tricycle without registration number, Toyota Camry without registration number, Scania Truck also without registration number.
“According to eyewitnesses, the crash which occurred about 11.51am was caused by brake failure. They explained that the brakes of the Mercedes Benz Truck failed while descending the hill towards Nkpor. Nine people were involved in the crash (8 male adults and 1 female adult).
“Four male adults sustained varying degrees of injury and the only female victim was confirmed dead by doctors at Boromeo Hospital, Onitsha, where the injured victims were also rushed to by FRSC rescue team from Upper Iweka Outpost.
“Meanwhile traffic control and clearing of obstruction by the FRSC heavy duty tow truck is ongoing. The Fire Service are also on ground to avert any fire outbreak.
“Also at about the same time, another road traffic crash involving a TATA truck with registration number LND635XM was reported to have occurred at Umuoji Roundabout Idemili-North.
“The brakes of the truck which was conveying empty bottles/crates of Hero beer failed and in an attempt to prevent the vehicle from ramming into other vehicles in traffic, the driver tried maneuvering but the truck fell discharging the empty bottles on the road. There was no casualty and the vehicle has been pulled up by a private tow truck.
“The Sector Commander Federal Road Safety Corps Anambra, CC Andrew A. Kumapayi condoled with the family of the dead and wishes the injured victims quick recovery.
“He admonishes vehicle owners and drivers to always ensure that their vehicles are properly serviced, especially the brakes, before embarking on any trip.
“He also reminds motorists that the rainy season is here, where the grounds are mostly slippery. Vehicles must have good tyres and good brakes to prevent avoidable road traffic Crashes,” the report postulated.
The sector commander also reiterated the comnand’s avowed commitment to continue to redouble its efforts in traffic management as well as ensuring compliance to traffic rules and regulations to reduce crashes resulting from negligence, ignorance of vehicle condition and general disobedience to road signs and regulations.
