Irate youths who were irked by the development quickly mobilized and set ablaze the lorry, including the cows, burning them to death.
A source said the accident happened when a truck which was conveying cattle to an unknown location lost its break while descending the Kwata junction slope, knocking down eight hawkers and injuring four occupants of two other SUV cars, which were all mangled.
The incident which happened about 2pm attracted irate youths, who burnt down the truck and the cattles.
They resisted attempts to free the cattles before setting ablaze the truck.
Our source was, however, unable to say if the driver of the truck and the truck attendant were spared.
The irate youths also defied attempt by the Anambra State Fire Service to put off the fire on the truck.
The multiple accident caused traffic gridlock in many areas in Awka.
Meanwhile, there was massive shooting in the area by military personnel to disperse irate youths who stopped attempts to tow the truck off the road to make way for free flow of traffic.
The shooting in the area caused residents and even motorists to abandon their vehicles and flee for their lives.
Attempt to speak to the Anambra State Police command’s spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga for confirmation on the actual number of casualties was not possible as his phone indicated that it was switched off.
However, Stste Sector Command Public Education Officer of Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), SRC Florence Edor who confirmed the incident said only two male adults were killed in a multiple fatal crash at the scene.
She said, ” two male adults lost their lives in a multiple fatal crash at about 1428hrs this afternoon near KWATA bridge opposite ministry of Agriculture, Anambra state.
“It involves a red Man Diesel Truck with registration number JJN 59 YZ, a green Honda CRV without enlistment number, a Red M/Benz 4matic with registration number ABJ 115 DA, a black Toyota Highlander with registration number AWKA 226 HM and an Ash Lexus SUV with registration number KJA 136 FD
“Eyewitness report reaching us indicates that the crash which was as a result of brake failure involved a total of (12) people, (11) Male adults and one female adult .
“One male adult who sustained injury was rushed to Princeton Hospital by FRSC rescue team from Awka, while the other two male adults who were taken to Amaku General Hospital Awka, were later confirmed dead by doctors on duty.
Edor said that their bodies were deposited at the hospital morgue and road obstruction is being cleared to ensure free flow of traffic
“The Sector Commander Federal Road Safety Anambra State, Corps Commander, Adeoye A.Irelewuyi sends his condolences to the deceased families and wishes the injured victim an accelerated recovery.
“More so, he admonishes motorists to endeavor to embark on regular maintenance and ensure their vehicles meet the minimum safety requirements before putting it on the highway,” she said.
