A tragic road accident on Monday morning has claimed the life of a truck driver along the deplorable Calabar–Itu federal highway.
The fatal crash involved two articulated trucks that collided head-on, leaving one of the drivers dead at the scene.
Eyewitnesses blamed the accident on the poor condition of the highway, which has been under prolonged rehabilitation. They said deep gullies and uneven surfaces made it difficult for the drivers to maintain control of their vehicles.
According to eyewitness Samuel Otu, neither of the trucks was speeding at the time of the incident.
“One of the long trucks was conveying stones while the other was loaded with jerricans of palm oil,” Otu said.
The truck carrying stones swerved due to the bad portions of the road and rammed into the oncoming palm oil truck, crushing its front and killing the driver instantly.”
The impact left the front section of the palm oil-laden truck severely damaged, causing traffic disruption along the busy route.
When contacted, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Cross River State, Mr. Innocent Tommy Etuk, confirmed the incident.
Etuk said he had directed officers in the area to immediately evacuate the victim’s body and clear the obstruction to restore the free flow of traffic.
“I deeply sympathise with the loss of life,” he said. “I have instructed my men to move to the scene without delay to evacuate the body and ensure the highway is cleared for motorists.
The Calabar–Itu highway, a major federal road linking Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, has long been a source of concern for commuters due to its deteriorating condition and recurring accidents.
