Truck driver in custody for killing four hawkers in Anambra

Four hawkers were, on Wednesday, crushed to death in Onitsha, Anambra State.

The accident, which occurred around 7.30am, involved a Mercedes Benz truck.

An eyewitness told our correspondent that the truck driver was trying to evade revenue collectors in the area when he rammed into the victims.

The Anambra State Sector Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps, Florence Ndor, who confirmed the incident, said the victims’ corpses had been deposited in a morgue in the area.

She said, “Around 7.39am today, February 24, 2021 at the Upper Iweka flyover, four female pedestrians were crushed to death by a blue Mercedes Benz truck with number plate XF 259 UNZ.

“Report reaching us indicates that the truck driver had a disagreement with the revenue collectors at the Upper Iweka flyover and the truck rolled back and crushed four female hawkers along the road.

“Also involved was the driver and his motor boy, who came out without injury.

“The FRSC, Nigerian Army and Nigeria Police rescue teams rushed the victims to the Toronto Hospital and deposited the corpse in the hospital’s morgue after a doctor had pronounced them dead.

“The driver of the vehicle has been handed over to the police for further investigation.”