…School children among the dead
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Seven persons have been confirmed dead and dozens injured in an accident involving a petrol tanker and two tricycles, along the Calabar-Itu highway in Akwa Ibom State.
Our correspondent gathered that the accident occurred along Ntak Inyang axis of the highway at the portion of the road currently under repair by the state government, after it was cut off by erosion.
One lane of the road had since been closed to traffic due to the ongoing rehabilitation works on the road, forcing all vehicles to ply just one lane of the highway.
Eye witnesses said the accident involving the petrol tanker, belonging to Ammasco Investment Limited, occurred in the early hours of Thursday, while blaming the tanker driver for over speeding.
The witnesses further explained that the two tricycle riders and the passengers, including school children, died on the spot.
Confirming the development, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, said it was still gathering facts about the accident.
Sector Commander, FRSC in Akwa Ibom State, Oga Ochi, who confirmed the number of casualty, said operatives of the Corps were immediately dispatched to the scene after the agency received information about the crash.
Ochi explained that the accident occurred because the truck was on high speed when it rammed into the tricycles, adding that investigation into the incident was ongoing.
Follow us on twitter
