Three people in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, were completely burned beyond recognition late Monday night when a fully loaded petrol truck caught fire due to a brake failure.
According to a witness account, the collision happened at 8:17 p.m. on the constantly busy Lokoja-Abuja express road in front of the Living Faith Church in Felele.
The tanker, which was reportedly fully filled with diesel, hit another truck, a Dyna pick-up van, after experiencing brake failure as it descended the slick part of road.
Three people were burnt to death, while two other victims were rescued with burns and sent to the Federal Medical Center in Lokoja for treatment. According to Sector Comander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Stephen Dawulung, the remains were deposited at the mortuary.
“The crash resulted from dangerous driving by the driver who suddenly lost control. The tanker was totally burnt. The Dyna pick-up van that was parked by the roadside and two other vehicles were also affected by the fire,” Dawulung said.
Due to the size of the fire, traffic was completely stopped.
Following the fire’s extinguishment, FRSC personnel conducted traffic control to relieve the ensuing backup.
The Sector Commander issued a warning to drivers of articulated vehicles, particularly those transporting flammable materials, advising them to exercise extreme caution, adhere to the posted speed limit, and follow all vehicle safety precautions, such as using safety valves to prevent content spills in the event of an accident.
“I have directed full investigation on the crash,” the Sector Commander added.
