Six people escaped death after a trailer carrying a 40-foot container fell from the New Parts, Nkpor Bridge, along the Onitsha–Awka Expressway, Anambra State and crashed into four other vehicles.
It was gathered that a total of six persons were involved in the crash. While two persons sustained minor injuries, four others escaped unhurt.
The accident, which occurred at about 1 p.m. on Saturday, also caused traffic disruption on the expressway, as the fallen trailer blocked the entire stretch of the road.
Our correspondent observed that the incident led to a gridlock that lasted for several hours towards Nkpor, as the crash resulted in some skirmishes.
One eyewitness near the scene said, “The accident occurred when the driver of the trailer suddenly lost brake as he was descending the bridge. He lost control, veered off the bridge, and crashed into other vehicles beneath the bridge.
“Fortunately, about six passengers already inside a shuttle bus beneath the bridge had fled the scene before the trailer fell on the bus, although some of them sustained minor injuries while running away.”
Confirming the incident in a statement on Saturday, the Sector Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Margaret Onabe, said the crash involved four vehicles.
Onabe listed the vehicles as a Mercedes-Benz articulated truck with registration number FTD581XA; a commercial shuttle bus with registration number ENU540ZJ; another commercial shuttle bus with registration number BKL661XA; and an Audi Volkswagen car with registration number ENU528MK.
She added that the FRSC received a distress call at about 1:10 p.m., while the rescue team from RS5.31A Upper Iweka Outpost arrived at the crash scene to commence rescue efforts.
She said:
“The Federal Road Safety Corps, Anambra State Command, wishes to inform the public of a serious road traffic crash that occurred on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at about 1300hrs along the Onitsha–Awka Expressway, specifically at New Parts, Nkpor Bridge.
“The crash involved four vehicles, namely a Mercedes-Benz articulated truck with registration number FTD581XA; a commercial shuttle bus with registration number ENU540ZJ; a commercial shuttle bus with registration number BKL661XA; and an Audi Volkswagen car with registration number ENU528MK.
“The FRSC received the distress call at about 1310hrs, and the rescue team from RS5.31A Upper Iweka Outpost arrived at the crash scene by 1315hrs.
“A total of six male adults were involved in the crash. Two sustained minor injuries, while four persons escaped unhurt. No fatalities were recorded.”
According to her, preliminary investigation identified brake failure and loss of control as the probable cause of the crash.
“According to eyewitness reports, the trailer experienced brake failure, veered off the bridge, and fell onto the other vehicles beneath the bridge.
“Before the arrival of the FRSC rescue team, the injured victims had already been evacuated to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
“To ensure free flow of traffic and prevent secondary crashes, the FRSC heavy-duty tow truck unit was promptly contacted to clear the obstruction caused by the affected vehicles.”
The Sector Commander, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, wished the injured a quick recovery and advised motorists, especially operators of articulated vehicles and commercial transport services, to ensure routine vehicle maintenance and proper braking systems before embarking on any journey.
“The FRSC remains committed to its mandate of ensuring safer roads and prompt emergency response to road traffic crashes across the state,” Onabe added.
As of the time of filing this report, normalcy was being restored on the road and vehicular movement had resumed.
