Six people narrowly escaped death on Saturday afternoon after a trailer carrying a 40-foot container fell from the New Parts, Nkpor Bridge on the Onitsha–Awka Expressway in Anambra State.
The accident occurred around 1:00 p.m. when the articulated truck lost control while descending the bridge. It veered off the structure and crashed into four vehicles beneath, causing significant damage and blocking the entire stretch of the expressway.
According to eyewitnesses, the driver reportedly lost brake control while coming down the bridge. The trailer veered off course and landed on vehicles below. Passengers in a shuttle bus parked beneath the bridge had fled before impact, though some sustained minor injuries while running to safety.
The Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed that six male adults were involved in the crash. Two sustained minor injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital, while four others escaped unhurt. No fatalities were recorded.
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FRSC Sector Public Education Officer Margaret Onabe said the distress call came in at 1:10 p.m., and the rescue team from RS5.31A Upper Iweka Outpost arrived five minutes later. The vehicles involved were identified as a Mercedes-Benz articulated truck, two commercial shuttle buses, and an Audi Volkswagen car.
Preliminary investigations pointed to brake failure and loss of control as the likely cause. The FRSC deployed its heavy-duty tow truck to clear the obstruction and restore traffic flow, which had been disrupted for several hours.
Sector Commander Bridget Asekhauno urged drivers of articulated and commercial vehicles to carry out routine maintenance, especially on braking systems, before embarking on any journey. She added that the Corps remains committed to ensuring safer roads and prompt emergency response across the state.
Normal vehicular movement had resumed by the time of filing this report.
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