In Nigeria, 5 people, among them a mother and her child who were in a Toyota Camry, heading towards Emohua Local Council of Rivers State, have died after their vehicle veered off the Choba Bridge, near University of Port Harcourt and plunged into the river.
The victims, who were coming from Choba in Obio/Akpor Local Council of the state, were said to have visited a family member, before the tragedy occurred at about 4.15 p.m. on Sunday.
Investigations showed that the guard rails on both sides of the bridge had been stolen or had rusted and fallen off, thereby exposing motorists and even pedestrians using the bridge for the first time, to danger.
A visit to the scene revealed that the bridge was narrow, considering its economic importance to the Niger Delta region and the nation at large.
The bridge is located at the popular East –West Road, which has remained a death trap, despite the fact that contract for the repairs of the road was awarded six years ago.
An eyewitness Friday Udo, said the driver was on high speed but he lamented: “The Choba Bridge poses a great danger as it is in a deplorable condition.”
Another sympathiser alleged that the driver must have been drunk and warned that it was dangerous to drink while driving.
Nigeria Guardian
Leave a Reply