Five family members have been killed when a truck loaded with cement smashed into a residential building in the Nnewi town of Anambra State.
According to sources, the incident occurred late on Friday when inhabitants of the community gathered in their proximity, and the family was also preparing for supper.
According to reports, the truck’s brakes failed, causing the driver to lose control and collide with multiple buildings before crashing into a house not far from the main road.
According to an eyewitness, “The incident happened late on Friday when most people were at their compound. The loud noise from the crash alerted the residents and other passersby to the scene. It subsequently created a rowdy scene as residents and passersby 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.
“It was an unfortunate incident that occurred while some people gathered at their various compounds celebrating Valentine’s Day. The driver was also killed in the accident while several victims were still stuck under the truck.”
The mother of the affected children was also spotted crying while residents consoled her. Some lifeless bodies were also discovered on the crash site.
A senior police officer from the Nnewi Area Command, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to talk, confirmed the occurrence.
He said, “It’s only the PPRO that can speak officially, but what happened is that the driver of the truck failed to brake and rammed into a residential building, killing some victims.
“The police had commenced a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash and assured the public that further details would be provided in due course.”
When approached about the development on Saturday, Margaret Onabe, a spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps in Anambra, verified the incident, saying the crash occurred late on Friday and vowing to contact FRSC officials on the ground for more information.
