Articulated vehicles kill 3 in Nsukka

Tragedy struck on Monday in Nsukka,  Enugu State, when two articulated vehicles carrying  a brand of soft drinks and beers on Monday killed three persons in different locations of Nsukka town.

A resident, who pleaded anonymity, told Metro that the first one happened at Ugwuoye, near old NEPA when the articulated vehicle loaded with beer had a brake failure and some of its contents hit a motorcyclist and his female passenger.

“I was opposite old NEPA to buy something when I saw the driver trying to control the vehicle and shouting ‘my brake, my brake’ with crates of beer falling from the vehicle.

“The motorcyclist died on the spot, as a result of lots of crates of beer that hit him, but the female passenger was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she later died,” he told NAN.

According to him, in less than one hour after the incident at Ugwuoye, another articulated vehicle crushed another person, Chidi (surname withheld), in front of NITEL building.

He told NAN that Chidisold phones and accessories at Nsukka main market.

“Today is a black Monday in Nsukka; unfortunately the trailer involved 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 their colleague.

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

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

Reacting to the incident, chairman, Nsukka Local Government Area of the state, Professor Rose Onah, described the two accidents as unfortunate, urging road users to exercise more patience because of ongoing road construction in the town.

“The major causes of accidents are impatience and not giving proper attention to vehicles which will cause problem on the way,” she said.

Onah, however, frowned at the action of some residents in hurling stones and pebbles on fire service people who came to put off fire on the trailer set ablaze by angry mob.

“I heard that the fire service men’s initial attempt to put out fire was scuttled by some residents who attacked them, which made them to go back.

“We should learn how to prevent further damages when accident happens by cooperating with security agents, fire service people and FRSC,” she said.

When contacted, the Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nsukka Unit Command, Mr Bello Mohammed, confirmed the two accidents and urged drivers to be careful, so as to avoid accidents.

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

“The two accidents and deaths could have been averted if those involved have exercised patience and taken precautionary measures,” he said.