Eyewitnesses attributed the crash to the deteriorating state of the highway, which has been undergoing prolonged rehabilitation.
By Emem Julius, Punch Newspaper
A truck driver has died, and others sustained injuries in a road crash along the Calabar–Itu Federal Highway, raising safety concerns over the condition of the road.
The accident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, involved two articulated vehicles that collided head-on. One of the drivers was confirmed dead at the scene.
Eyewitnesses attributed the crash to the deteriorating state of the highway, which has been undergoing prolonged rehabilitation.
They said deep gullies, failed portions and uneven surfaces along the stretch have continued to pose risks to motorists.
An eyewitness, Samuel Otu, said neither truck appeared to be speeding prior to the collision.
According to him, one of the vehicles was transporting stones, while the other was laden with jerrycans of palm oil.
“The truck carrying stones swerved while navigating a bad portion of the road and rammed into the oncoming truck conveying palm oil.
“The impact crushed the front of the palm oil truck and killed the driver instantly,” he said.
Otu stated that the collision left the palm oil truck extensively damaged, obstructing traffic and causing a temporary gridlock along the corridor linking Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
Another eyewitness, Odudu David, who was returning from Akwa Ibom State to Calabar, expressed sadness over the situation and called on the government to intensify efforts to complete the highway project to avert further loss of lives and economic setbacks.
“My brother, what I saw as I was coming back from Akwa Ibom to Calabar, I felt so bad to witness this scene. Government needs to help out.
“Government should put more effort into repairing this road to avoid further damage. I feel so pained. People are dying every day, yet no one is saying anything.
“The driver who carried the stone truck died on the spot. The truck driver died and others sustained injuries. It was a very scary scene. I feel so sad,” he said.
When contacted, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Cross River State, Innocent Tommy Etuk, confirmed the incident.
He said officers were immediately deployed to the scene to evacuate the victim’s remains and remove the wreckage to ease traffic flow.
“I sympathise with the family of the deceased. Our personnel have been directed to clear the obstruction promptly to restore normal movement on the highway.”
The highway remains a critical federal artery connecting Cross River and Akwa Ibom states but has become notorious for its worsening condition and recurring accidents, prompting calls for expedited rehabilitation and improved safety measures.