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Two dispatch riders were crushed to death yesterday, following a crash involving two fully loaded Mack trucks, with registration numbers T-10357 LA, and KJA 107 XM.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said in a statement by Mr Taofiq Adebayo, director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department that the accident occurred on the Eko Bridge, inward Alaka corridor.
“Preliminary findings suggest that the driver of one of the articulated trucks, reportedly driving at an excessive speed, while allegedly dozing off, lost control of the vehicle.
“The truck then careened into another moving truck ahead of it, triggering a violent impact.
“This collision led to the dislodgement of a 20-foot container from one of the trucks, which subsequently crushed two unsuspecting dispatch riders, who were navigating the route at the time.
“Both victims were confirmed dead at the scene.”
He added that the swift and coordinated response from LASTMA officers, who were on routine traffic monitoring duty beneath the Eko Bridge, ensured the immediate rescue of one severely injured truck driver.
He said the driver was promptly transported to a nearby hospital in a Lagos State Government ambulance for urgent medical attention.
He added that the remaining two truck drivers absconded from the scene, presumably out of fear of the grim aftermath.
“Investigations are currently underway to trace and apprehend the fleeing drivers involved in the fatal crash.
“To forestall further incidents and safeguard other road users, LASTMA personnel immediately cordoned off the affected stretch of the bridge and redirected vehicular traffic through the Costain Roundabout inward Alaka en route to stadium,” he said.
Bakare-Oki consoled the bereaved families, while expressing deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives.
He reiterated the critical importance of responsible driving, particularly for operators of articulated vehicles.
The LASTMA boss urged all drivers to exercise utmost caution, maintain full alertness and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before commencing any journey.
He further emphasised the agency’s ongoing, robust public enlightenment campaigns aimed at instilling safety consciousness among drivers, especially those operating heavy-duty vehicles.
Other emergency responders at the scene of the accident include the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LSNSC), the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) and policemen from Iporin Division of the state.
