In a devastating incident on Monday, a petroleum tanker carrying a substantial volume of premium motor spirit crashed along the Odukpani/Awi section of the Ikom Calabar Highway, resulting in a massive spillage of fuel and subsequent fire. This unfortunate event left commuters stranded and frustrated as the raging fire made it hazardous for vehicles to navigate through the area.
According to an eyewitness, Mr. Ferdinand Oko, who was present at the time of the crash, the incident occurred around 5 pm. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the accident. The driver of the tanker miraculously escaped without any injuries, avoiding a tragic outcome.
Oko shared his account of the incident, stating, “I witnessed the petrol tanker overturning and catching fire on the Odukpani-Awi road. Motorists, passengers, and other road users were left stranded. Thankfully, there were no casualties, and the driver and conductor emerged unharmed.”
Attempts to obtain comments from the driver and conductor proved futile, as they declined to provide any statements regarding the incident. However, a bystander revealed that upon exiting the crashed vehicle, the driver mentioned experiencing brake failure, which led to the tanker overturning when he encountered a pothole while traveling at high speed. The driver’s desperate attempt to apply the brakes proved unsuccessful.
It is worth noting that road accidents have become alarmingly frequent along the Calabar-Ikom highway due to the deplorable condition of the road, characterized by numerous potholes resulting from a lack of maintenance.
At the time of reporting, no presence of the Federal Road Safety Corps or firefighters was observed at the scene of the accident. This highlights the pressing need for prompt intervention and improved emergency response systems to mitigate the impact of such incidents on the safety of road users and the surrounding environment.