Three family members die as car crashes into stationary truck in Rivers State
Three members of a family have died after their car crashed into a stationary truck along a major highway in Rivers State, police and eyewitnesses have confirmed. The tragic accident happened late in the night on Sunday, when the family’s vehicle collided with the parked truck on a poorly lit stretch of the East-West Road near Canaanland Junction. Officials say that the impact was severe and left the three occupants of the car dead at the scene before emergency responders arrived.
Eyewitnesses told rescuers that the car, which was travelling at high speed, veered off the road and struck the rear of the immobile truck, causing extensive damage to the front of the family vehicle. The victims, whose identities have not yet been officially released, were reportedly returning from a family event when the collision occurred. Passers-by and early responders worked to pull other occupants from the wreckage, and one survivor with serious injuries was rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care.
Rivers State traffic authorities have since closed portions of the road to allow for investigation and recovery of the wreckage, and a team from the Federal Road Safety Corps is conducting a scene assessment to determine the precise cause of the crash. Initial reports indicate that factors such as poor visibility, excessive speed and lack of reflective markers on the stationary truck may have contributed to the tragedy. The driver of the truck was said to have been away from the vehicle at the time of the incident.
Local residents and community leaders expressed sorrow at the loss of life and appealed for greater enforcement of road safety measures along the busy corridor. They emphasised the need for reflective warning signs on parked vehicles and urged motorists to exercise caution, especially at night, to prevent similar accidents. The Rivers State Government has also extended condolences to the bereaved family and called for stricter adherence to road safety regulations across the state.
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