Six Escape Death as Enugu Bridge Collapses

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwanyi

Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

SOURCE THISDAY

No fewer than six persons on Tuesday escaped death when a hanging bridge at Ikem in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State collapsed.

The six persons were occupants of three vehicles that were on the bridge when the ‘unexpected’ happened.

Although no life was eventually lost but the bridge that connected five communities, other local government areas, as well as Ebonyi and Benue States, has cut-off the commuters motorists and other road users.

The collapse of the bridge has equally paralysed the vehicular movement in and out of the town and has caused serious hardship to the people of the area and other road users.

Sources told journalists that the bridge, which was constructed in the 70s, collapsed when a tanker that went to supply diesel to the generating set powering one of telecommunications masts in the area was trying to cross the bridge, making the tanker to hang at the centre of the bridge.

Two other vehicles, a camry and bus, were equally trapped, prompting some people around the area to quickly assist the occupants of the vehicles to safety.

The source noted that vehicles and motorcycles now stop people at the two edges of the bridge to enable the passengers to cross the river with their legs where they will rejoin another vehicle to continue their journey.

A resident of Ikem, Mr. Toochukwu Ngwu, called on Governor Ifeanyi Ugwanyi to do something immediately to reduce the suffering of the people whom he said have been completely cut-off from their brothers living in the other side of the town