The Anambra State Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed an accident at Onitsha Head Bridge by Asaba-Onitsha Expressway.
According to the corps, the accident took the lives of a female and two male pedestrians on Friday.
Mr Adeoye Irelewuyi, who’s the Sector Commander, confirmed the accident to newsmen in Awka, saying that the accident happened at about 10.a.m.
The commander revealed that the accident could be as a result of mechanical fault, brake failure and loss of control.
He added that the accident affected an unidentified motorist of a blue commercial truck, having LSD697YD as registration number: and an unidentified motorist of a blue and white Mistibuchi L300 commercial bus having LEH596XA as registration number.
“According to eyewitness, the truck developed fault and broke down on the bridge. When the driver saw a tow truck towing another vehicle out of the bridge, he sensed that the tow truck might come back later to tow his vehicle.
“To avoid his vehicle being towed, he quickly moved his vehicle without fixing the mechanical defect. The brake failed and the driver lost control of vehicle and rammed into three pedestrians walking down the bridge.
“The vehicle finally collided with a commercial bus and crashed. At that point, the truck driver abandoned his vehicle and took to his heels.
“A total of 10 persons – six male adults and four female adults, were involved in the crash. FRSC rescue team from Onitsha took the victims to Toronto Hospital.
“Two male adults and and a female adult were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty, and their corpses deposited at the hospital morgue. Seven injured victims are currently receiving treatment, “he said.
Irelewuyi revealed the accident caused obstruction and had since been cleared and the vehicles had been moved to the police station.
While sympathizing with the families of the deceased victims, the commander implored drivers to make sure they service and keep their vehicles in good condition regularly for the safety of road users.