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An accident on the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge, near Ilubirin and heading towards Sura, involved a J5 Ford bus (FKJ 724 YC) and a Mercedes truck (FKJ 746 YC). The tragic incident claimed one life and left four others injured.
According to a statement issued on Monday by Adebayo Taofiq, Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department at the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the agency swiftly responded to the scene and coordinated the rescue efforts.
Five victims were pulled from the mangled vehicles. Tragically, one of them succumbed to their injuries, while the other four were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
“The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed a tragic collision involving a J5 Ford bus (FKJ 724 YC) and a Mercedes truck (FKJ 746 YC) at Ilubirin, inward Sura, along the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge.
“The accident, which occurred earlier today, claimed one life and left a total of five individuals affected.
“LASTMA Officials, under the leadership of the General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, promptly arrived at the scene and spearheaded the rescue operations. With the support of concerned bystanders, four victims were extricated from the wreckage, three of whom were rescued alive.
“Tragically, one individual, trapped inside the J5 Ford bus laden with pepper and other perishable goods, succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.
“Preliminary findings suggest that the J5 Ford bus experienced brake failure while travelling at high speed, resulting in a collision with the Mercedes truck. Emergency response teams, including the Lasema Response Unit (LRU), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigerian Police Force, and LASAMBUS, collaborated with LASTMA to manage the situation.
“All survivors were swiftly transported to the General Hospital on Lagos Island for immediate medical attention.
“In a coordinated effort to restore normalcy, LASTMA’s rescue team efficiently cleared the accident site, removing the vehicles and spilt perishable goods to ensure the free flow of traffic along the bridge.”
While expressing his heartfelt condolences to the grieving family, Bakare-Oki emphasised the vital importance of road safety, particularly during the festive period.
He urged drivers, especially those operating heavy-duty vehicles, to refrain from excessive speeding and to ensure their vehicles, especially the braking systems, are in optimal working condition before setting out on any journey.
LASTMA reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to protecting all road users and pledged to continue working closely with relevant agencies to prevent avoidable accidents on Lagos roads.
