Lokoja – Three persons were burnt to death in a fuel tanker fire accident which occurred Monday night in Felele area of Lokoja, Kogi State.
The state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Stephen Dawulung who disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday in Lokoja said two other persons were rescued with severe burns from the accident which occurred around 8:17pm.
He said that the fuel tanker fully loaded with diesel busted into flames when it crashed into other vehicles parked beside the road.
“The fire of the crashed tanker resulted to the burning of two other articulated vehicles and a Dyna Pick-up van on the road.
“Three persons were burnt to death while two other victims were rescued with burns and rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja for medical attention and the corpses deposited at the mortuary,” Dawulung said.
He attributed the accident to dangerous driving on the part of the driver of driver of the ill-fated fuel tanker.
The Sector Commander said the driver lost control and in the process crashed into other vehicles, saying that the tanker and three other vehicles were completely lost to the inferno.
“Unfortunately, the Dyna Pick-up van that was parked by the road side and two other vehicles were affected by the fire.
“At that point, traffic became standstill due to the magnitude of the fire until it subsided, making operatives of FRSC to conduct traffic control and cleared the hold-up,” he said.
Dawulung described the incident as very unfortunate and sad, advising drivers of articulated vehicles, especially those carrying flammable substances, to always be cautious and drive within the regulated speed limit.
“They (drivers) must also maintain all vehicle safety protocols like the use of safety valves to prevent spillage of content in the event of crash,” Dawulung said.
He said FRSC has commenced full investigation into the accident.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
