By CHARLES IWUOHA

At least four persons lost their lives Thursday evening when a loaded water tanker lost control, crushing the unfortunate victims in Independence Layout, Enugu..

The accident happened when the tanker crashed into the keke (commercial tricycle) loading spot in front of the popular Nza Street, close to the Bush Bar, with eyewitnesses revealing that the keke driver died on the spot.

“The tanker which was coming from UNICEF end obviously lost its break and came crashing on the keke drivers that loads opposite the Bush Bar,” one witness said.

“The tanker continued moving and hit down a woman and her child, the woman died on the spot and we are suspecting that the little baby she was carrying was dragged along by the tanker because it was fully loaded.

“The tanker continued moving and ended up in the compound sharing same fence with the Bush Bar before stopping.

“A lot of persons are pinned down by the vehicle but we have seen four lifeless bodies. This is a very big tragedy,” he said.

The tanker driver, News Express gathered, disappeared from the scene as a mob went in search of him.

The State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, visited survivors upon getting news of the accident.

A statement by the governor’s media aide, Mr Louis Amoke, said that Ugwuanyi, accompanied by his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, thereafter proceeded to Posh Hospital, New Haven, Enugu, where the survivors were taken for medical attention.

There, he sympathised with the survivors and ensured that they receive adequate medical attention.

The governor pledged to pay all medical bills and made fund available to the hospital management, to ensure that the survivors were treated without any hindrance.

He condoled with the families of those who lost their lives in the accident and thanked those who rescued and brought the survivors to the hospital.

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