Benin — Four persons were yesterday crushed to death by a trailer at the Uselu market along Ugbowo-Lagos road in Benin City.

Witnesses said the Mack trailer with registration number XG 633 BEN had a break failure and wanted to avoid running into the market when it swerved to the opposite direction, crushing the four. The victims according to the witnesses, were a middle aged woman whose husband and children were waiting on the other side of the road, two motorbike riders and another young man.

The dead woman was identified as Mrs. Rita Oshawo, a nurse. Another witness said the trailer tried to avoid a group of street traders who were arguing with the state taskforce team along the road. Sympathizers were seen digging into the heap of sand carried by the trailer hoping to find any trapped victims. The driver was said to have sustained serious injuries.

Edo State Sector Commander of the FRSC Mr. Henry Olatunji warned traders against street trading which he said was illegal and could endanger their lives and others. He confirmed that two persons died in the accident and their bodies had been deposited in a mortuary in Benin City while the injured were taken to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.