A fatal tanker explosion has claimed the lives of the driver and conductor in Anambra State.
The Sector Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Command, SRC Margaret B Onabe, who disclosed this in a statement in Awka, said the crash that occurred in Ihiala Local Government Area on Sunday, also injured one other person.
She said the crash occurred opposite the FRSC office in Ihiala, by the Ihiala-Onitsha road.
Onabe said: “The fatal crash was between two vehicles: an unidentified driver of a commercial tanker with no registration number, and an unidentified driver of a motorcycle with no registration number.
“The probable cause of the fatal road traffic crash was attributed to speed and loss of control.”
According to an eyewitness, the tanker was travelling at high speed when it lost control and crashed into the barricade on the road. Immediately after the crash, the tanker exploded and caught fire, which affected the motorcycle that was following the tanker behind. Resulting in the death of the tanker driver and his conductor.
Three male adults were involved in the crash. Two male adults were killed, and one was rescued with injuries (bike driver) and was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Ihiala.
The FRSC rescue team from RS5.34 contacted the fire service; the FRSC and fire service were on the ground to combat the fire.
As of the time of this report, the fire has been totally put out.
The Sector Commander, Anambra State Corps Commander, Bridget Asekhauno, commiserated with the family of the dead victims.
She admonished motorists to drive within the recommended speed limit to control it; be observant of their environment, and always pay full concentration to driving.
