At least three people were injured and six vehicles damaged on Sunday after a 40-foot tanker reportedly suffered brake failure and crashed into several vehicles at Ikpoba Hill in Benin City, Edo State.
The tanker, reportedly loaded with groundnut oil, was descending the Ikpoba Hill/Ramat Park axis when the incident occurred, triggering a chain collision that caused significant damage and disrupted traffic along the busy corridor.
An eyewitness, Mr Ken Omusi, said the tanker driver struggled to control the vehicle after an apparent brake failure.
Omusi said the situation worsened when the tanker reportedly hit a pothole at the Ikpoba River Bridge, causing the steering wheel to jerk and sending the tanker off course.
“The driver was struggling to control the tanker, but after it hit a pothole at the bridge, the steering wheel reportedly jerked and the tanker veered into other vehicles,” the eyewitness said.
Another eyewitness, Kayode Folorunsho Ogedengbe, said he was at the scene when he heard people shouting before turning to see the tanker crashing into other vehicles.
According to Ogedengbe, the tanker first rammed into a Toyota Corolla, which subsequently collided with another vehicle, resulting in further damage.
He said six vehicles, including the tanker and an Eco bus, were damaged in the crash.
Ogedengbe added that three people sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital by community members and passersby.
Some of the injured victims were reportedly trapped beneath the damaged vehicles and had to be pulled out by people at the scene before being taken for medical attention.
The crash triggered a major traffic gridlock along the Ikpoba Hill corridor as motorists struggled to navigate the affected section of the road.
Emergency responders, including officials of the Edo State Emergency Management Agency, Federal Road Safety Corps, police and fire service, later arrived at the scene to support rescue efforts, manage traffic and prevent further danger.
As of the time of filing this report, no death had been confirmed in connection with the crash.
Authorities are expected to further investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident, including the reported brake failure and road condition at the point where the tanker lost control.
