More facts have emerged on how a petrol tanker laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) tumbled and exploded on Festac link bridge in Lagos on Wednesday afternoon.
A visit by TheNewsGuru.com to the scene of the accident which happened around 12:45 pm revealed that the tanker driver heading to the popular Apple Junction in Awumo Odofin lost control of the vehicle while making attempts to climb the bridge.
Other vehicles lined up behind it couldn’t maneuver their way through before the tanker tumbled and busted out into flames.
The driver of the commercial bus behind the tanker who spoke exclusively with TheNewsGuru.com said: “The was a short traffic this afternoon towards Festac bridge inwards Okota. I was directly behind a tanker laden with fuel. However, on getting to the tip of the bridge, the driver couldn’t climb on the bridge and he skidded back afterward. Before I could maneuver my way behind its back, the tanker had busted into flames. As soon as the tanker exploded, the driver who looked too young and inexperienced to drive it absconded. The ensuing pandemonium could not allow me to raise alarm when he ran. All the goods in my vehicle which belonged to some petty traders got burnt. It is estimated to cost over N100,000:00.
A big casualty of the inferno who operates an automobile shop along the road could not control his emotions when he spoke with TheNewsGuru.com team.
According to him, over 17 exotic vehicles worth over N78m was lost in the inferno.
In his words: “I can’t believe this is happening to me today. The tanker was driven by a young, uneducated and inexperienced driver. He (the driver) was finding it difficult to climb the bridge and this led to the explosion. All the exotic vehicles in my automobile shop are completely razed down. The vehicles are over seventeen (17) in number and its valued at over N78 million. How do I get back all these?” he asked almost shedding tears.