Scores Escape Death as Oil Tanker Crashes, Spills Content at Awka Flyover

By Praise Chinecherem

Scores of passengers on Wednesday escaped death when an articulated truck crashed along the flyover at the popular Aroma junction in Awka, Anambra State.

The palm oil laden truck coming from Enugu axis of the Awka-Onitsha expressway was descending the hill when the driver suddenly lost control and crashed.

Residents of the area scampered for safety as they thought the tanker was carrying inflammable content.

An eyewitness said the driver veered off the road while attempting to dodge a hummer bus said to be owned by Revenue agents, as well as scores of commuters waiting for vehicles at the junction.

“The driver was trying to dodge both the crowd of passengers waiting for bus as well as Revenue bus when it suddenly lost control and veered off the road.

“Immediately the palm kernel content started flowing, people thought it was fuel and started running, while those who parked their vehicles around the scene drove off,” the witness said.

When our correspondent visited the scene, some residents were seen scooping the contents, while fire fighters who arrived shortly after the incident assisted with water to neutralize the contents.

The area was immediately cordoned off as motorists were diverted to other routes to forestall any calamity.

Reacting, State Fire Chief, Engr Martin Agbili said his men had already been deployed at the scene.

He said the public should not panic much as the content was not petrol as alleged.

He said, “At about 1510hrs (03:10pm), Anambra State Fire Service, Awka, Nigeria received a distress call of a fallen tanker containing palm kernel oil at Aroma, Awka.

“Immediately, we deployed our fire truck and firefighters to the accident scene. So far, we are still working at the scene to prevent it from going into flame.”