By Karen James,
Tragedy struck again in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Thursday morning when a trailer fell on a fully-loaded tricycle, killing two persons instantly along the ever-busy Upper Iweka axis of the Owerri–Onitsha Road.
The fatal crash, which occurred around 8:20 a.m., involved a tricycle (Keke) and a trailer—both reportedly without registration numbers. According to eyewitnesses and viral videos from the scene, the trailer was navigating a badly damaged section of the road when it suddenly tilted and landed heavily on the tricycle carrying four passengers.
Two of the occupants were trapped and crushed to death on the spot, while two others miraculously escaped unhurt. One witness alleged that a woman and her young son were among the passengers inside the tricycle when the incident occurred.
A distraught resident, who spoke in a video from the scene, described the crash as “one too many” along the Upper Iweka corridor. He blamed the recurring accidents on the deplorable state of the road and the lack of control over reckless trailer movements in the area.
“This same spot has claimed several lives. Trailers fall here almost every month, and yet nothing has been done. The road is a death trap,” he lamented, while showing the poor condition of the road and the congestion of vehicles trying to navigate through.
Confirming the incident, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra State, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, described the crash as both tragic and avoidable.
“The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) RS5.31A Upper Iweka Outpost responded to a fatal crash on the Owerri–Onitsha Road at approximately 8:20 a.m. today. The crash involved a tricycle and a trailer, resulting in the deaths of two adult males. Four adult males were involved, with two others rescued uninjured,” Asekhauno stated.
She further explained that the trapped victims were taken to the hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival. “The FRSC tow van was deployed to lift the trailer off the tricycle, clear the obstruction, and restore free traffic flow,” she added.
The FRSC boss also used the opportunity to caution motorists, tricycle operators, and heavy-duty vehicle drivers to exercise utmost care and adhere to road safety regulations.
Meanwhile, residents and motorists have continued to call for urgent government intervention on the Owerri–Onitsha Road, describing it as a disaster zone that continues to claim innocent lives almost every week.
