Edith CHUKU
The fatal accident that occured on New Year’s day at the Obiri-Ikwerre flyover in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State has been attributed to the alleged indiscriminate parking of a waste collection truck.
The family of the victims in an interview with journalists on Friday, made this claim while calling for thorough investigation into the matter.
The deceased whose name was given simply as Mr Ahmed, his brother Afiz and five years old daughter, Sheila lost their lives when their vehicle collided with a stationary waste collector truck, allegedly parked without warning signs on the flyover.
Describing the incident as unfortunate and avoidable, late Ahmed’s brother, Mr Muideen Ajiboye said, “it is so unfortunate that a waste collector truck parked at the Obiri-Ikwerre flyover caused this accident.
“The truck was stationed there without any caution sign, and my brother, Ahmed, rammed into it on crossover night into the New Year.
“Eventually the incident took three lives. That of Ahmed, his daughter Sheila and his brother Afiz. The other occupants of the vehicle are still unconscious in the hospital.
“We are calling on the waste management agency to call their contractors to order and do their findings as this has taken so many lives.
“We are calling on the government to look into this matter. This kind of negligence has taken so many lives in Rivers State. We want a thorough investigation, and we urge the waste management agency to call its contractors to order.”
It was gathered that the wife, son, and sister of the deceased were also in the vehicle and are presently receiving treatment for life-threatening injuries at a hospital.
The State Police command Public Relations Officer, Grace Irinke-Koko, who confirmed the incident noted that two persons died at the scene of the accident.
“Two persons died on the spot, while investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause of the accident.”
While Ahmed’s daughter and brother died instantly, Ahmed was rushed to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
