Trailers crush 3 in Enugu as angry mob set one ablaze

Tragedy struck on Monday when two articulated vehicles carrying alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages within an interval of one hour killed three people at different locations at Nsukka in Enugu State.

Our correspondent gathered that the two articulated vehicles were conveying the beverages of the different brands when the accidents happened at Ugwuoye near old NEPA and the other in front of NITEL office respectively.

A resident who identified himself as Chidi told our correspondent that one of the vehicles had a break failure and cartoons of the beer it was conveying fell on a motorcyclist and his female passenger.

“The driver conveying the beer was signaling road users and shouting ‘my brake’, ‘my brake’ and suddenly cartoons of beer started falling off the vehicle and landing on top of an okada man carrying a female passenger.

“The okada died on the spot while the female passenger was rescued and quickly rushed to a nearby hospital where we later learnt she died almost as soon as she arrived the hospital”, he said

According to him, in less than one hour after the incident at Ugwuoye, another articulated vehicle reportedly crushed a phone dealer at Nsukka main market in front of NITEL Building.

“Today is a black Monday in Nsukka. Unfortunately, the trailer in that accident opposite NITEL was set ablaze by angry mob”, he said

Speaking, the chairman of GSM Nsukka main market, Mr. Innocent Ekwunife said he was yet to recover from the shock of the death of his colleague Chidi Ogbu who was crushed to death this morning by a truck while on his way to his shop.

“We have decided to close of all GSM shops in Nsukka main market today as a mark of respect for one of our members who lost his life in an unfortunate accident

“We want government to investigate what caused the accident that killed our colleague so as to avoid a repeat in future, “he said.

While reacting to the incident, Chairman Nsukka LGA, Prof. Rose Onah, described the two accidents that happened in Nsukka on Monday as unfortunate.

“This is a bad situation in Nsukka because as early as 8am we got the report of an accident involving the trailer carrying hero drinks which killed two people and while I was preparing to visit the scene of the accident another call came in notifying me of another accident in front of NITEL.

“I want to plead with road users to exercise more patience especially because of the ongoing road construction”, she said.

Onah however frowned at the action of some residents who took laws into their hands by hurling stones at fire service personnel and FRSC who came to put off the fire and also control traffic.

“I heard that fire servicemen attempted to put- off the fire on the trailer ignited by angry mob but was scuttled by some residents that attacked them.

“We should learn how to prevent further damages when accident happen by cooperating with security agents, fire servicemen and FRSC workers

“I expressed sympathy to families that lost their beloved ones and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss”, she said.

The Commander of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nsukka Unit Command, Mr. Bello Mohammed when contacted by our correspondent urged motorists to be careful while on the road to avoid accidents.

“Drivers in Nsukka town and environs should be more careful and take adequate precautionary measure knowing very well that road constructions are going on in the town.

“The two accidents and death as result of it could have been averted if those involved have exercised patience and precautionary measures”, he said.