Three members of a family lost their lives in a road accident in the early hours of Thursday, January 1, while returning from crossover night prayers in Rivers State.

Residents told Daily Trust that the victims were heading for their home in Rumuokini, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, when the vehicle rammed into a stationary sewage truck on the Obiri Ikwerre flyover.

Those who died were the father, identified as Mr Ahmed, his five year old daughter, Sheila, and his brother, Azeez.

It was gathered that the vehicle was driven by the first son of the family, a fashion designer, who sustained life threatening injuries alongside other occupants. They are currently receiving treatment in hospital.

Confirming the incident, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, said two persons died on the spot, while others were rushed to hospital.

She added that investigation had commenced to determine the cause of the accident.

Meanwhile, the family of the deceased has blamed the incident on the alleged indiscriminate parking of a waste collection truck on the flyover.

Speaking to journalists, Ahmed’s brother, Engr Amoo Muideen Ajiboye, alleged that the truck was parked without any caution sign, contrary to standard safety practice.

He said, “Is so unfortunate that the waste collector truck parked at Obiri Ikwerre flyover caused an accident.

“Eventually the incident took three lives. That of Ahmed, his daughter Sheila and his brother Azeez. The other occupants of the vehicle are still unconscious in the hospital.

“We call on the Government to look into this matter as this kind of acts have taken so many lives in Rivers State.

“We are appealing to the Government to do their investigation and look critically into this matter. We are calling on the waste management agency to call their contractors to order and do their findings as this has taken so many lives.” he said. (Text, excluding headline: Daily Trust)