In a harrowing incident early Tuesday morning, tragedy struck in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, claiming the lives of three individuals as a truck lost control and plummeted off an overhead bridge. The devastating accident, which occurred between 4 am and 5 am along Zaria Road, also resulted in injuries to three others while leaving a grim toll of approximately 45 cows dead.
Eyewitnesses recounted the chilling moments as the truck, laden with both passengers and cattle, attempted to ascend the flyover bridge within the Gada Biu/Kabong community. Timothy Garuba, a resident who witnessed the aftermath, described the chaotic scene: “The truck was carrying cows and passengers around 4:30 am when it fell off the bridge with passengers and some cows trapped under it. I can count 45 cows that are littered on the ground dead. Some passengers are trapped under the vehicle as well.”
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Peter Langsan, the Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps in the state, confirmed the tragic outcome, attributing it to the perils of speeding. Langsan cautioned against the dangerous practice of overloading vehicles designed for freight with human passengers, emphasizing the need for adherence to safety regulations.
“Our officers and men have just concluded the rescue operation here,” Langsan stated. “It was an articulated vehicle carrying cows and human beings that fell off the bridge. Three persons died and three others were also injured. They have been taken to the hospital.”