By Izunna Okafor, Awka
What could be best described as panic and confusion erupted at the ever-busy New Parts Market axis of Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Saturday after a heavy-duty truck reportedly lost control and plunged from the Nkpor flyover onto the road below, leaving several people injured and destroying multiple vehicles.
The frightening incident, which occurred during a period of heavy human and vehicular movement around the commercial hub, sent traders, motorists and passersby scampering for safety as the truck crashed onto the lower section of the road, narrowly averting what many described as a potential mass casualty disaster.
This was corroborated by photos and videos from the event scene, which are currently trending on social media, showing the affected areas, vehicles and some road users at the spot.
Although no record or number of casualties could be confirmed as of the time of filing this report, eyewitnesses said a number of persons sustained injuries, while several vehicles were badly damaged by the impact of the crash.
The incident immediately attracted crowds of shocked pedestrians and sympathizers, with many attributing the limited scale of the tragedy to divine intervention, considering the usually congested nature of the New Parts Market environment.
Many residents noted that if the accident had occurred at another moment of peak commercial activity, the outcome could have been far more devastating.
The accident has also reignited discussions on the Anambra State Government’s earlier warning and directive prohibiting heavy-duty trucks from using the Nkpor flyover.
The government had, after assessing the infrastructure and traffic dynamics around the area, directed articulated vehicles to use the lower road instead of the flyover in order to enhance public safety and reduce the risk of accidents.
Following Saturday’s incident, many residents and road users recalled the directive and urged drivers of articulated vehicles to strictly comply with traffic regulations designed to protect lives and property.
Speaking based on their on their observations, some witnesses expressed gratitude that the crash did not result in fatalities despite the magnitude of the incident, describing it as an act of divine mercy.
Emergency responders and concerned residents were seen at the scene shortly after the accident, assisting victims and helping to clear the affected area to restore the free flow of traffic.
As of the time of this publication, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Anambra State Command is yet to issue an official report and release full details about the crash.
The incident has again drawn attention to the need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations involving heavy-duty vehicles, particularly in densely populated commercial centres where a single act of negligence can have catastrophic consequences.
As investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash continue, stakeholders have called for greater compliance with established road safety directives, insisting that adherence to traffic rules remains essential for preventing avoidable tragedies on the state’s highways.
Watch more photos and videos from the scene below:
