Two persons were on Wednesday night crushed to death by an articulated vehicle in Mbanakwa Okpuno, Nnewichi in Nnewi North local government area of Anambra State.
The accident, which occurred around 8:20pm along Ukwukpaka junction, involved the truck and a motorcycle.
It was gathered that the driver of the truck was ascending a hill when it suddenly rolled backwards and collided with the motorcycle which was trailing behind it.
Eye witnesses, who attributed the accident to brake failure, said the victims sustained severe injuries and were rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
Confirming the incident, the Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed said the body of the deceased had been deposited at the hospital mortuary for postmortem examination.
He said: “On the 18/09/2019 at about 8:20pm, there was a fatal motor/motorcycle accident along Ukwukpaka junction, Mbanakwa Okpuno Nnewichi in Nnewi North LGA involving a Tipper with Reg No XA 206 KPP and a Mate 50 motorcycle with Reg No QL 500 UWN ridden by one Clement Odo ‘m’ aged 50yrs conveying a Pillion one Anayo Elinye ‘m’ aged 38yrs.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the tipper had a brake failure while on motion, rolled backward and collided with the said motorcycle.
“As a result, both the Rider and the Pillion sustained injuries and were rushed by police patrol team to Diocesan hospital where they were confirmed dead by a medical doctor.”
He said the tipper driver absconded immediately but said efforts were on to apprehend and bring him to justice.