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 has left one person dead and five others injured, reports thegazellenews.com.
According to Adebayo Taofik, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), who confirmed the tragic event, the accident occurred early Monday, 16 December, 2024.
According to him, preliminary findings suggested that the J5 Ford bus experienced brake failure while traveling at high speed, resulting in a collision with the Mercedes truck.
“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.
“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 spilled perishable goods to ensure the free flow of traffic along the bridge.
“While extending his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki reiterated the critical importance of road safety, particularly during the festive season. He urged drivers, especially operators of heavy-duty vehicles, to avoid excessive speeding and ensure that their vehicles—most notably the braking systems—are in perfect working condition before embarking on any journey.
“LASTMA remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding all road users and will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to prevent avoidable accidents on Lagos roads.
“To report traffic incidents, accidents, breakdowns, or other impediments, please contact the LASTMA toll-free hotline: 0800 005 27862,” the statement concluded.
