Brake failure tanker crash claims lives in Jos
No fewer than six people were killed and several others injured on Sunday night after a tanker suffered brake failure and crashed near the Polo Club Roundabout in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The tanker reportedly lost control while descending the road and rammed into several vehicles that were neatly parked along the roadside. An eyewitness in the area said the impact was devastating, leaving many of the vehicles damaged beyond repair.
According to the eyewitness, at least six persons died instantly, while about five others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to hospital for treatment. He added that the driver of the tanker and his conductor were among those who lost their lives at the scene.
The tanker, said to belong to Jingri Filling Station in Jos, was towed along with the wrecked vehicles to the “A” Division Police Station. The eyewitness also noted that property worth millions of naira was destroyed, as all the vehicles hit by the tanker were completely written off.
He further explained that the driver had alerted his conductor about the brake failure moments before the crash, prompting the conductor to shout warnings to passersby and other motorists.
However, the Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Plateau State, Superintendent Route Commander Peter Longsan, gave a different casualty figure, stating that 18 people were involved in the crash. According to him, two adult males died on the spot, while 16 others sustained varying degrees of injuries and were taken to the Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BUTH). The bodies of the deceased were deposited at BUTH.
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Longsan said the tanker lost its brakes shortly after the Plateau State Specialist Hospital Roundabout and continued descending until it eventually crashed into parked vehicles and came to a halt.
He added that in order to prevent a fire outbreak, emergency agencies swiftly cordoned off the area and diverted traffic, while also preventing attempts to loot the tanker. Fortunately, there was no spillage of the petroleum product, reducing the risk of fire.
Agencies at the scene included the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Operation Rainbow, the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, the Nigerian Army, the Federal Fire Service, the Vehicle Inspection Officers, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
The FRSC spokesperson said the fuel was safely transloaded, all wrecked vehicles were removed, and the road was cleared before midnight, allowing traffic to resume smoothly.
He commended the cooperation among security agencies and the host community, stressing that road safety is a collective responsibility. He also urged road users to report crashes or emergencies through the FRSC emergency number 122 and advised motorists to remain cautious and responsible on the roads, especially in the New Year.
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