A devastating accident occurred at the Area Command Bus Stop in Nnewi, Anambra State, when a fully loaded cement truck lost control and crashed into a residential building, killing an unspecified number of people, including about five members of a family.
Eyewitnesses reported that the tragic incident happened late Friday as residents gathered in their neighborhood and the affected family prepared for dinner.
Sources indicate that the truck experienced a brake failure, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle reportedly collided with several buildings before ultimately crashing into a house near the main road.
An eyewitness said, “The incident happened late on Friday when most people were at their compound. The loud noise from the crash alerted the residents and other passers-by to the scene. It subsequently created a rowdy scene as residents and passers-by tried to remove some victims who got stuck
“The driver of the trailer carrying cement lost control at Ugwu-Akpati Ozu, Nnewi and crashed at Me Court Junction, near Nnewi Police Area Command Bus Stop. The truck cleared several structures and some persons before ramming into the residential building, killing about five children of a family.
“It was an unfortunate incident that occurred while some people gathered at their various compounds celebrating Valentine’s Day. The driver was also killed in the accident while several victims were still stuck under the truck.”
The mother of the affected children was also seen crying while residents consoled her. Some lifeless bodies were also seen on the crashed scene.
A senior police officer at Nnewi Area Command, who craved anonymity as he was not authorised to speak, confirmed the incident.
He said, “It’s only the PPRO that can speak officially, but what happened is that the driver of the truck failed to brake and rammed into a residential building, killing some victims.
“The police had commenced a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash and assured the public that further details would be provided in due course.”
When contacted over the development on Saturday, the spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps in Anambra, Margaret Onabe, who confirmed the incident, said the crash was recorded late on Friday while promising to reach out to the FRSC personnel on the ground for more details.
