Fire disaster averted as tanker falls, spills diesel on road

A fire disaster was on Friday averted, when a fully loaded diesel tanker was involved in along Onitsha-Enugu expressway, Awka, Anambra.

It was learnt that the Mercedes Benz truck heading to Enugu from Onitsha was involved in the accident at around 10am with the driver and two passengers on board.

Residents of the area were seen scooping the content which spread through the drainage along the highway after the truck fell.

Confirming the incident, the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Andrew Kumapayi, said the accident was as a result of over-speeding, indecision and fatigue.

He disclosed that the driver and his two conductors sustained varying degrees of injury and were taken to the hospital for medical attention.

According to Kumapayi, “It’s quite glaring that the driver has been going on a speed more than required. Besides, it’s possible that fatigue set in which led to loss of control and the tanker fell.

Read also: Fuel tanker sparks fire at Access bank branch

“He was coming from Onitsha axis, and out of indecision, he suddenly turned right. I want to believe he’s coming from a far journey and didn’t rest. Thank God no life was lost. But the driver and his boys were seriously injured.

“We had to cordon off the entire area to avert any fire outbreak. We later opened up the road to allow free flow of traffic after the fire service had neutralized the inflammable content.”

Also, speaking on the accident, the State Fire Chief, Engr. Martin Agbili said the quick response of his men averted what could have led to fire explosion.

He said, “At 10am, we received a distress call that a truck loaded carrying diesel fell along the express close to our office and immediately dispatched our men to extinguish it with five of our fire trucks.

“Thank God it has not started burning before our men and other sister agencies arrived because the content spread to other places. Besides the number of vehicles passing the express makes the situation more risky.”

By Emmanuella Ibe…

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now