- Six Escape Death as Container-Laden Trailer Falls from Anambra Bridge
- Brake Failure Suspected
- FRSC Confirms Two Injured, No Fatality Involved
At least six people narrowly escaped death on Saturday after a trailer carrying a 40-foot container plunged from the New Parts, Nkpor Bridge along the Onitsha–Awka Expressway in Anambra State and crashed into four vehicles below.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the accident, which occurred around 1 p.m., left two persons with minor injuries, while four others escaped unharmed.
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The incident caused severe traffic congestion along the busy expressway after the fallen trailer blocked a significant section of the road, leading to hours of gridlock and tension among stranded motorists.
Eyewitnesses said the accident happened when the trailer reportedly suffered brake failure while descending the bridge.
According to one witness, the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off the bridge and crash onto vehicles beneath.
“The driver suddenly lost control after the trailer developed brake failure while coming down the bridge. It plunged from the bridge and landed on vehicles below,” the eyewitness said.
He added that passengers in one of the shuttle buses involved had quickly fled the vehicle moments before the trailer came crashing down, helping to avert a more tragic outcome.
Confirming the incident, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Command, said the crash involved four vehicles, including a Mercedes-Benz articulated truck, two commercial shuttle buses and an Audi Volkswagen car.
The Sector Public Education Officer, Margaret Onabe, said the FRSC received a distress call at about 1:10 p.m., and rescue operatives from the Upper Iweka Outpost arrived at the scene within minutes.
“A total of six male adults were involved in the crash. Two sustained minor injuries, while four persons escaped unhurt. No fatalities were recorded,” she stated.
According to the FRSC, preliminary investigations identified brake failure and loss of control as the likely causes of the accident.
The injured victims had already been taken to a nearby hospital before rescue officials arrived at the scene.
To ease traffic and prevent secondary crashes, the FRSC deployed a heavy-duty tow truck to remove the wreckage and clear the road.
The Sector Commander, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, expressed relief that no lives were lost and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
She also urged motorists, particularly operators of articulated trucks and commercial vehicles, to carry out regular maintenance checks and ensure their braking systems are in proper condition before embarking on journeys.
Normal traffic flow was gradually restored after emergency responders completed clearance operations.
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