Two escape death in Anambra as petrol tanker crashes near Police station

By: Awesome Ekene

Two persons narrowly escaped death early this morning when a tanker laden with fuel crashed into a drainage near a Police station along Onitsha-Awka Expressway, Anambra State.

The accident which occurred around 6.30am, involved the articulated vehicle with the two persons on board.

The driver of the truck was said to have veered off the road and fell into the gutter following loss of control.

Confirming the incident to THE DAILY VENDOR, the State Sector Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Pascal Anigbo, attributed the cause of the crash to Speeding and Loss of Control.

He said, “At about 6.30am today Monday 11 May, 2020 a lone Road Traffic Crash involving a tanker laden with fuel was recorded near the Nigeria Police Force Oyi Division, along Onitsha-Awka Expressway.

“The crash which occurred during a heavy down pour was caused by Speeding and Loss of Control. The said tanker veered off the road and fell into the adjoining gutter as the driver lost control of the vehicle.

“Two male adults were involved in the crash, they came out unhurt. The Fire Service was alerted immediately. Meanwhile, the area has been cordoned off and traffic diverted by the FRSC rescue team from Nteje Unit Command.

Anigbo also confirmed another accident that occurred opposite the FRSC Awka Command, involved a black Lexus E350 saloon car.

He said the driver came out unhurt was however taken to the hospital by FRSC operatives, for medical examination

“At about 9.30am another lone Road Traffic Crash occurred opposite the FRSC Awka Command. It involved a black Lexus E350 saloon car, with registration number AAH914RM driven by Udegbunam Chidera (male), who lost control of the vehicle, due to “excess speed.

“The speed was so much that the vehicle which was running towards Onitsha from Awka-Onitsha, jumped over the large gutter separating the two lanes on the expressway and ended up in the opposite gutter, along Awka-Enugu route.

“The Sector Commander Federal Road Safety Corps Anambra State, CC Andrew A. Kumapayi admonishes drivers to always drive within stipulated and common sense speed limits. They should also drive defensively at all times, especially now that the rainy season is here.”