Two persons, identified as a mother and her child, died instantly while several others sustained injuries after a trailer lost control and rammed into a commercial bus at the Ulasi River Bridge, Okija Junction in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. The accident, which occurred late Thursday, was reportedly caused by brake failure, leading the trailer to crash into a Toyota Hiace bus on the bridge, resulting in multiple casualties.
Eyewitnesses claimed the bus, which was travelling from the Upper Iweka area to Owerri, had been stopped by touts allegedly collecting revenue when the trailer’s brakes failed. A circulating video from the scene showed the wrecked bus with pedestrians frantically trying to rescue victims, while some lifeless bodies and unconscious passengers lay on the ground.
One witness, Ibeabuchi Edeoga, said, “The accident was caused by touts who blocked the road and were collecting revenue from commercial drivers. But unfortunately, a trailer truck that was on speed failed brakes and overran the bus, killing two people, a woman and her child instantly. Many passengers involved in the accident were rushed to a nearby hospital. But all of the victims were unconscious when they were taken to the hospital. But as of this morning, some victims have died.” Another eyewitness, Uchenna Odinaka, added, “It could have been more disastrous, but the railings by the bridge stopped the truck from going further to hitting other vehicles and road users.”
Odinaka further noted that the crash happened during rush hour, and both the trailer driver and his motor boy were rescued. “Two people died on the spot, while several others who were unconscious were rushed to a nearby hospital. The bodies of the victims lay on the ground before the rescue operations from pedestrians and the arrival of security operatives,” he said. Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps in Anambra State, Margaret Onabe, stated, “Yes, we received the report of the accident, but we are still investigating the cause of the crash and will issue a statement with information soon.”
