A truck fell off from an overhead bridge in Jos, Plateau State capital, leading to the death of three persons on Tuesday.

It was learnt that the three persons were trapped under the vehicle and died afterwards while three others sustained varying injuries.

Residents who gathered at the scene along Zaria Road confirmed the accident to PUNCH Online in Jos on Tuesday, saying about 45 cows were also killed in the crash that occurred between 4 am and 5am.

One of the residents, Timothy Garuba, said the accident happened when the truck was climbing the flyover bridge situated within Gada Biu /Kabong community in the early of hours of Tuesday.

Garuba said, “A truck driver lost control on the Kabong fly-over bridge in Jos North Local Government Area early this morning.

“The truck was carrying cows and passengers around 4:30 am when it fell off the bridge with passengers and some cows trapped under it. I can count 45 cows that are littered on the ground dead. Some passengers are trapped under the vehicle as well.”

The Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps in the state, Peter Langsan, who confirmed the casualty figures said that both the dead and the injured victims had been evacuated to the hospital.

Langsan said, “Our officers and men have just concluded the rescue operation here. It was an articulated vehicle carrying cows and human beings that fell off the bridge. Three persons died and three others were also injured. They have been taken to the hospital.”

Langsan, who attributed the accident to speeding, warned motorists to stop carrying humans in vehicles meant for haulage.