The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a truck driver following a fatal road accident that claimed the lives of a student writing the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination and a commercial motorcyclist in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday evening along the Choba section of the East-West Road when the truck reportedly lost control and collided with a motorcycle conveying the student.
The deceased student, identified simply as Juliet, was said to have been returning home after sitting for her WASSCE papers at a secondary school in Emuoha Local Government Area when the crash occurred.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the truck was travelling at high speed before veering into the path of the motorcycle.
According to the witness, the driver appeared to have lost control of the vehicle moments before it rammed into the motorcycle from the opposite direction.
“The truck was moving fast and suddenly swerved off its lane before crashing into the motorcycle carrying the student. Both victims died as a result of the impact,” the source said.
The eyewitness also suggested that the heavy rainfall recorded in the area at the time may have contributed to the accident.
The incident attracted scores of residents and road users, many of whom gathered at the scene in shock over the tragic loss of lives.
Confirming the development on Thursday, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the truck driver had been taken into custody while investigations continued.
She stated that the vehicle involved in the crash had been handed over to the appropriate authorities for inspection.
“Yes, I can confirm the accident. Two persons lost their lives, while the driver has been arrested. The truck has been released to the Vehicle Inspection Office for examination, and investigations are ongoing,” she said.
The police spokesperson added that the remains of the victims had been deposited at the mortuary of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
“The corpses have been taken to the UPTH morgue, while efforts are ongoing to conclude investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash,” she added.
The accident has renewed concerns among residents over reckless driving on the busy East-West Road, particularly during adverse weather conditions.
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