Osamagbe Imadiyi
One person was killed and five others were hospitalized in a tragic collision that occurred on the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge early on Monday, December 16, 2024. About 6 a.m., the accident happened at Ilubirin, inward Sura.
A J5 Ford bus (registration number FKJ 724 YC) and a Mercedes truck (registration number FKJ 746 YC) were involved in the collision, according to confirmation from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). According to reports, the collision occurred when the brakes on the J5 Ford bus, which was loaded with pepper and other perishable items, failed while it was speeding.
LASTMA officials, supported by bystanders, quickly arrived at the scene to carry out rescue operations. Four victims were pulled from the wreckage, three of whom were rescued alive. Unfortunately, one individual trapped in the J5 Ford bus succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.
The Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), the Nigerian Police Force, the Lagos Response Unit (LRU), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and LASTMA were among the emergency response teams that collaborated to handle the aftermath.The survivors needed immediate medical attention and were taken to Lagos Island’s General Hospital.
LASTMA’s rescue crew cleared the accident scene, removing the damaged cars and spilled items in an attempt to return traffic to normal.
Olalekan Bakare-Oki, general manager of LASTMA, expressed sympathy to the departed family and emphasized the importance of strictly adhering to traffic safety regulations, especially during the holiday season.
“Drivers should avoid speeding excessively and make sure their vehicles, especially the braking systems, are in perfect working condition before any journey,” Bakare-Oki stressed, especially for those operating heavy-duty vehicles.
Through cooperation with pertinent agencies, he assured the public of LASTMA’s dedication to maintaining road safety and averting preventable accidents.