Nigeria: Three feared killed as car crashes into stationary truck in Rivers

Three persons, including a man and his daughter, were feared dead on New Year’s Day when a saloon car rammed into a stationary truck at the Obiri-Kwerre flyover in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred in the early hours of New Year’s Day as the occupants of the vehicle were returning from a crossover service, unaware that a waste truck had been parked along the road.

Three of the occupants reportedly lost their lives, while others sustained serious injuries and are receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

A brother of one of those reported dead, who identified himself as Engr.

Ajiboye Amaho blamed the driver of the waste collection truck for indiscriminate parking without any caution signs.

Amaho described the incident as unfortunate and called on the government to check what he described as careless acts by drivers, which he said had become prevalent in recent times.

He gave the names of the deceased as Ahmed, Aziz, and Sheilla.

Amaho stated, “It is so unfortunate that a waste collector truck stationed on Obiri-Kwerre flyover caused an accident. The truck was just stationed without any sign of caution, and my brother, Ahmed, rammed into it when they were coming back from the crossover at night.

“The incident took three lives, including Ahmed, Aziz, and Sheilla. Other people in the vehicle are still unconscious in the hospital. So I’m calling on the government to look into this matter (indiscriminate parking), as this kind of act has claimed many lives in Rivers State.

“Let the government do a proper investigation and look critically into this matter. I’m also calling on the waste management agencies to monitor their contractors and call them to order to avoid the loss of innocent lives.”

PUNCH Online gathered that while Ahmed died in the hospital on Thursday evening, the other two victims died on the spot. Other occupants of the vehicle who survived include Ahmed’s son and his sister, who sustained injuries.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, saying an investigation was ongoing to ascertain the cause of the crash.

Iringe-Koko, a Chief Superintendent of Police, said, “Yes, I can confirm the incident. Their vehicle rammed into a stationary truck.

“Our hearts go out to the victims. However, an investigation is ongoing to ascertain the details of what happened.”