21st November, 2016
Two articulated vehicles carrying coca-cola products and Hero brand of beer on Monday killed three people in different locations of Nsukka town.
A resident, who pleaded anonymity on Monday said that the first one happened at Ugwuoye near old NEPA when the articulated vehicle loaded with Hero beer had a break failure and some of it content hit a motorcyclist and his female passenger.
“I was at opposite old NEPA to buy something when I saw the driver trying to control vehicle and shouting my brake, my brake and crates of beer falling from the vehicles
“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 said.
According to him in less than one hour after the incident at Ugwuoye, another articulated vehicle crushed another person, Mr Chidi Ogbu, in front of Nitel Building.
He told NAN that Ogbu sells phones and phone accessories at Nsukka main market.
“Today is a black Monday in Nsukka, unfortunately, the trailer in that accident opposite Nitel was set ablaze by an 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 the 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, Prof. Rose Onah, Chairman Nsukka Local Government Area, described the two accidents as unfortunate and urged road users to exercise more patience because of on-going road construction in the town.
“Some of the 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 the fire on the trailer set ablaze by the angry mob.
“I heard that the fire servicemen initial attempt to put-off fire on the trailer was scuttled by some residents that attacked them which made them go back.
“We should learn how to prevent further damages when an accident happens by cooperating with security agents, fire service people and FRSC.
“I expressed my sympathy to families that lost their beloved ones and urged God to grant them the fortitude to bear the untimely loss,” she said.
When contacted the Commander of Federal Road Safety Commission (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 measure knowing very well that road constructions are going on in the town.
“The two accidents and deaths as a result of it could have been averted if those involved have exercised patience and taken precautionary measures,” he said.