6 killed as speeding truck rams into stationary trailer in Delta

A fatal accident on Monday afternoon claimed the lives of six people on the Udu Bridge in Delta State, after a speeding truck crashed into a stationary trailer loaded with electric poles.

Eyewitnesses reported that the trailer had broken down on the bridge and was being repaired by a mechanic when tragedy struck. An oncoming truck, allegedly speeding, failed to stop in time and rammed into the parked vehicle with devastating force.

The impact of the collision was severe, instantly killing six individuals, including the mechanic who had been working beneath the trailer. Several other people sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to nearby medical facilities by emergency responders, who arrived promptly to evacuate the dead and assist the wounded.

The accident was said to have been occasioned by brake failure and the impatient of a tricycle rider.

The incident reportedly occurred as the truck, attempted to dodge a commercial tricycle (popularly called Keke), and in the process collided with the stationary trailer while the mechanic was working beneath it.

“Consequently, the impact caused the trailer to topple, killing the mechanic and crushing three moving tricycles with passengers”, one of the witnesses who sought anonymity stated.

When our correspondent visited the scene of the crash, the route was already in a total blockage with vehicular gridlock, leaving motorists and tricycle operators stranded for hours.

Workers, students, and traders commuting into Warri and surrounding areas were severely affected, with many forced to seek alternative routes on foot as emergency responders struggled to access the scene.

The Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State Command, Bright Edafe, could not be reached for confirmation of the exact death toll arising from the accident, as of the time of filing this report.

However, the Chairman of Udu Local Government Area, Vincent Oyibode, was sighted mobilising rescue workers to the scene.

Oyibode’s efforts eventually led to the towing away of the ill-fated trailer and the truck later in the evening, thus giving respite to the teeming road users.