By Pamela Eboh
A 40-foot trailer with registration No Delta ASB 405YZ, laden with cement has reportedly rammed into a residential building at No 161 Beverly Hills Estate, GRA, Onitsha in Anambra State, leaving two exortic cars damaged.
The impact also destroyed a perimeter fence, gate, pillars, among others.
Trouble was said to have started for the driver when he refused to heed warning from the Chief security officer of the estate who advised him to turn back that heavy duty vehicles are prohibited from plying the estate due to the topographic nature of the environment.
He insisted and continued, but on getting to an uncompleted where the cement would be off loaded, he tried to negotiate but the weight of the cement forced the lorry to descend down the hill and his effort to control it failed, leading to him ramming into two residential building and causing massive destruction.
It was gathered that no life was lost in the incident that happened on Saturday as the landlord, Mr.Ven Uche Adoga and his family were said to be upstairs in the one storey duplex when it happened.
Thanking God for saving his life and those of his family, Adoga said, “I was with my family upstairs when I heard deafening sound and became shocked. When I looked outside People gathered and I went into shock.
“My two cars, a fomatic car that was newly bought and a Benzer jeep were all smashed. The house was touched because the trailer rammed into it, fence gate, wall, pillars and many other things were smashed.
“The driver who is currently being detained at 3’3 Police station, was said to be making calls when the incident happened and wanted to run away but was held by sympathizers and some co landlords.
“The driver was taken to the police station where he is being detained and the trailer towed to the police station with the help of the landlords who blamed the driver for not taking the advice given to him earlier not to ply the estate.
“The worst is that since the incident happened the principal to the driver has not shown any concern by coming to ascertain the extent of destruction and discuss with me on how to come out of the wood because we are human beings. He wants to frustrate me and my family.”
On his part, Counsel to the landlord, Barr. E.E Egbo, frowned at the attitude of the driver and his principal, saying that the incident would have been averted if the driver had listened to the advice of the Chief security officer of the estate who advised him earlier to turn back because of the topography of the area.
He added, “The driver claimed to be an expert driver and then ended up smashing two cars, house, perimetre gate, pillars, among others. It is very unfortunate that the driver refused to take the advice given to him.
“Up till now the principal to the driver has not shown up, that shows he is callous, something that would have pulled down the entire house didn’t move him to show concern. It is very unfortunate.
“We are going to take up the matter, the damage is a collosal one, caused by neglect, we will take legal action as last resort since the principal to the driver doesn’t want to show concern.”
When contacted, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, incharge of 3’3 police station, CSP Chukwunonso Onunkwo was not on seat but a senior police officer who pleaded anonymity confirmed the detention of the driver.
He however declined further comment.
