Cement-laden truck rams into residential building in Anambra community, six die

No fewer than six persons, including children, lost their lives in an auto crash in Anambra state.

The crash, which happened late Friday along the Ugwu-Akpati Ozu part of the Nnewi—Okigwe Road, near the Nnewi Area Command Bus Stop, involved a cement-laden truck.

Eyewitnesses attributed the crash to failure of the brakes, which caused the driver to lose control and ram into a residential building, crushing scores of people, including children from the same family.

Our correspondent gathered that the driver also died in the crash, as the truck brushed against several cars, motorcycles, shops, and buildings before finally crashing into the house.

A witness who did not want to be identified 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.

Another eyewitness said, “Almost 10 people lost their lives in the fatal accident that happened at Nnewi-Okigwe Road.

“A 40-ft long trailer loaded with cement lost control at Ugwu Akpati Ozu, cleared off bike men and cars on its way, sped past the area command, and rammed into some makeshift shops and the compound at the back.”

Confirming the incident, spokesperson for the Anambra State Sector of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Command, Margaret Onabe, said the crash occurred late on Friday.

Onabe attributed the causes of the fatal accident to excessive speed, brake failure and loss of control.

Onabe said six male and female adults and three female children were victims of the crash, adding that the children and the female adult lost their lives, while the rest sustained injuries.

“Among the deceased victims, one male adult and one female adult were trapped inside a building. The FRSC rescue team from Nnewi conducted an extrication, and the bodies of the deceased were transferred to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Akammili Umudim, Nnewi.”

The spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, also confirmed the incident.

“Preliminary information shows that the fatal accident was caused by brake failure. Regrettably, six persons lost their lives, while two others sustained serious injuries.”