By David Owei, Yenagoa
Four persons have been critically injured in a ghastly motor accident involving a tanker laden with petrol and two commercial tricycles, known in local parlance as Keke.
The incident happened along Akenpai, a suburb in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.
The accident, according to resident who witnessed it, the accident occurred around 10:40am, when the tanker laden with premium motor spirit failed brake, lost control and hit a tricycle at its front.
The witness, who only identified herself as Ann, explained that it took the intervention of people to get some heavy-duty equipment to be able to pull out victims who were trapped between the tricycles and the fuel tanker.
According to Ann, at the time of incident, some of the victims, numbering four were seen gasping for breath were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa.
She added that men of the fire service are presently on ground putting measures in place to prevent a possible fire outbreak.
When contacted by telephone, Bayelsa Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps said that he was on his way from a trip to Abuja and pledged to update on the incident as soon as he gets back.
A reporter who visited the scene reports that the contents of the tank was gushing out and spilled the entire area but the presence of policemen discouraged people from scooping the product.
However, spokesman of the Bayelsa Police Command, DSP Asinim Butswat confirmed the development.
Butswat, said he is aware of the petrol tanker accident but he has not been informed of any loss of live.
Butswat said in a telephone chat that the Fire Service have been notified of the accident and Policemen have drafted to the area to cordon off the area to forestall possible fire explosion following the spills from the tanker.
“Yes, I am aware of the accident, but what I can’t confirm is if there has been any loss of lives, because I have not been briefed by my men on that aspect.
“We have notified the Fire Service and I can confirm to you that our men have cordoned the area.” Butswat said