Driver Killed, Passengers Injured As Tree Falls On Moving Tricycle In Asaba

By Daniel Dafe

A tragic incident occurred on the evening of Sunday along Okpanam Road, when a windstorm brought down an aged tree onto a moving commercial tricycle (keke), resulting in the death of the driver and injuries to several passengers.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that the storm intensified rapidly, with strong winds destabilizing trees in the area. Unfortunately, one of such trees, believed to have had a weakened root system, collapsed onto the tricycle in motion, leading to the fatal outcome.

The injured passengers were promptly rescued and taken to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

Following distress calls, the Honourable Commissioner for Environment, Jamani Tommy Ejiro, arrived swiftly at the scene alongside his counterpart from the Ministry of Transport, Agofure Onoriode. In collaboration with officials from the Ministry of Environment, immediate steps were taken to evacuate the fallen tree and restore the free flow of traffic along the affected route.

The Commissioner expressed deep condolences to the family of the deceased and extended wishes of speedy recovery to the injured.

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He described the incident as unfortunate and avoidable, noting that preliminary assessments have revealed that several trees along Okpanam Road are overgrown and structurally compromised, making them highly susceptible to collapse during adverse weather conditions.

In response, the Ministry has initiated urgent measures to identify and remove hazardous trees across vulnerable areas within the state. Residents have also been advised to exercise caution during periods of strong winds and heavy rainfall.

The Delta State Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, emphasizing that proactive environmental management remains critical to ensuring public safety and preventing future occurrences.