Tragedy struck late Thursday evening in Anambra State when a mother and her child lost their lives in a horrific road accident at the Ulasi River Bridge, Okija Junction, in Ihiala Local Government Area. Several others sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital.

Eyewitnesses said the crash happened when a trailer truck, reportedly suffering brake failure, rammed into a Toyota Hiace commercial bus that had stopped on the bridge. The bus, which was traveling from Upper Iweka to Owerri, was said to have been held up by touts allegedly collecting revenue from drivers.

According to one witness, Ibeabuchi Edeoga, the tragedy could have been avoided if the road had been clear. “Touts blocked the road to collect revenue, and the bus had to stop. The trailer was coming at speed, couldn’t brake, and slammed into it. A woman and her child died instantly.”

Another witness, Uchenna Odinaka, said the crash could have been far worse if not for the bridge railings. “It was rush hour, and people were hurrying home. The railings stopped the trailer from causing more damage. The driver and motor boy survived, but many passengers were unconscious and were rushed to the hospital.”

Videos from the scene shared on social media showed the mangled bus surrounded by distressed bystanders desperately trying to rescue trapped passengers.

The spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra, Margaret Onabe, confirmed the incident but said investigations were still ongoing. “We have received the report of the crash, but we are still investigating the cause and will provide full details soon,” she said.

The accident has sparked renewed calls for tighter road safety enforcement and a crackdown on illegal revenue collection points, which residents say endanger lives daily.