Three people, including a child, lost their lives while four others sustained injuries in a fatal road accident that occurred along the East-West Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday.
The crash happened near the Eliozu area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and involved a mini-bus and a trailer.
According to eyewitnesses, the mini-bus was heading toward Rumuokoro when it collided with the trailer, reportedly due to brake failure.
A source at the scene claimed that as many as five people may have died in the crash, with some of the victims said to be students of the University of Port Harcourt. However, official reports confirmed three fatalities.
The Public Relations Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Port Harcourt Sector Command, Amarachi Ekwere, confirmed the incident. She said the crash occurred at about 10:40 a.m. and involved a truck with registration number BRA 454 XA and a white mini-bus bearing plate number FGG 801 ZD.
“Seven persons were involved in the accident three females, three males, and a child,” Ekwere stated. “FRSC personnel quickly arrived at the scene and transported the victims to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), where two females and one child were confirmed dead.”
She added that the deceased have been deposited in a morgue in Port Harcourt, while efforts were made to promptly clear the wreckage and restore normal traffic flow.
An eyewitness reiterated that the crash was likely caused by brake failure.