A
petrol tanker said to be coming from the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation Depot in Calabar, Cross River State, crashed into a pavement,
killing at least six persons at Obong Itam, Itu Local Government Area of Akwa
Ibom State.
A
police team on the highway was said to have tried to flag down the truck as
they noticed that the driver was driving with only one headlamp, which was
allegedly not even bright.
It was
gathered that the driver, in a bid to escape arrest by the police,
sped off, but lost the control of the vehicle almost immediately, crashed
into pavement, and trapped a tricycle.
A
resident of Obong Itam, Cyril Ekpenyong, told our correspondent that the crash
occurred around 8:30pm on Monday; adding that the tanker driver, his
conductor, and two passengers in the tricycle that was trapped died
instantly, having been burnt beyond recognition when the tanker exploded into
flames.
He
added that the tricycle rider and another man in the truck were taken to
hospital, where two of them were later confirmed dead.
“The
accident happened around 8:30pm. We saw the truck as the police were trying to
flag it down because it was driving with one headlamp, which was not even
bright. The driver did not mind the police as he veered to the right of the
policemen for escape.
“The
police did not chase after him; he unnecessarily sped off, thinking that
the policemen were running after him. In a matter of minutes from where the
police stood, we heard a bang.
“The tanker
crashed into a pavement, killing many and pouring its content,” he said.
Victoria
Inyang, an indigene of the area and student of the University of Uyo, said when
she heard the bang, she thought it was a normal vehicle crash that often
happens in the area.
She
explained that within seconds, the crash resulted in an inferno.
The
Public Relations Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Godsgift Uwen,
confirmed the incident.
He said
the accident happened along KM 8, Obong Itam, along Uyo-Calabar Highway on
Monday around 8:30pm.
According
to him, the truck crashed into a pavement, fell on a tricycle and killed
four persons on the spot.
“The
cause of the accident was dangerous driving. It happened around 8:30pm on
Monday. The truck crashed into a pavement and hit a tricycle. As of yesterday,
six persons, who were all males, had been killed,” he said.
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