A truck driver yesterday lost his life in a road crash along the deplorable Calabar–Itu Federal Highway, heightening safety concerns over the condition of the road.

The accident, which occurred in the early hours of the day, involved two articulated vehicles that collided head-on. One of the drivers was confirmed dead at the scene.

Eyewitnesses attributed the crash to the deteriorating state of the highway, which has been undergoing prolonged rehabilitation. They said deep gullies, failed portions and uneven surfaces along the stretch have continued to pose serious risks to motorists.

An eyewitness, Samuel Otu, said neither truck appeared to be speeding prior to the collision.

According to him, one of the vehicles was transporting stones, while the other was laden with jerrycans of palm oil.

“The truck carrying stones swerved while navigating a bad portion of the road and rammed into the oncoming truck conveying palm oil,” he said. “The impact crushed the front of the palm oil truck and killed the driver instantly.”

The collision left the palm oil truck extensively damaged, obstructing traffic and causing a temporary gridlock along the busy corridor linking Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Cross River State, Innocent Tommy Etuk, confirmed the incident when contacted.

He disclosed that officers were immediately deployed to the scene to evacuate the victim’s remains and remove the wreckage to ease traffic flow.

“I sympathise with the family of the deceased,” Etuk said. “Our personnel have been directed to clear the obstruction promptly to restore normal movement on the highway.”

The highway remains a critical federal artery connecting Cross River and Akwa Ibom states but has become notorious for its worsening condition and recurring accidents, prompting fresh calls for expedited rehabilitation and improved safety measures.