Many feared dead as Dangote truck rams into Sienna
Story from Yahaya Goni
A fatal road accident on Sunday evening claimed multiple lives near the NYSC Orientation Camp along the Wannune-Gboko Road in Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State. The collision involved a Dangote cement truck and a Toyota Sienna van.
According to eyewitnesses, the Dangote truck, loaded with cement, veered into the path of the oncoming Sienna and rammed into it head-on. The violent impact crushed the Sienna, trapping nearly all its occupants inside the vehicle.
One of the first responders at the scene recounted the harrowing rescue efforts, describing the sight as something “no one should ever see.” He recalled forcing the vehicle doors open and first attempting to rescue a baby whose legs were pinned beneath a seat. Tragically, she had already passed away.
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While the Sienna driver reportedly escaped without serious injuries, several passengers were not as fortunate. Two men in the front seats were pinned down, with one reportedly still alive and gasping for air as rescuers tried to reach him.
A woman seated in the middle row died instantly from the force of the impact on the right side of the vehicle. Passengers seated in the rear suffered relatively minor injuries and were pulled out through the windows by passersby who rushed to help.
Rescue efforts became increasingly difficult as the weight of the Dangote truck made it hard to reach those still trapped. A second truck was reportedly being arranged to help lift the cement-laden vehicle. The eyewitness, who had to leave the scene before all victims were recovered, said the two men in the front and the deceased woman remained trapped at the time of his departure.
Some of the victims’ remains were later taken to St. Christopher Hospital in Wannune. As of the time of this report, authorities have not released an official statement or confirmed the total number of casualties.
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