3 dead, many injured in Lagos road accidents
By Christopher Oji
Three persons have been confirmed dead,many others injured, while many vehicles were damaged in a multiple accidents that occurred yesterday morning in Lagos.
The accident occurred at about 3 am at Mary land bus stop by Zenith Bank.
According to Head, Public Affairs Unit, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA),Nosa Okunbor, the first accident occurred when a diesel-laden tanker experienced brake failure and rammed into several vehicles, resulting in the death of three people and injuries to an unspecified number of others.
“LASEMA’s response team arrived at the scene around 1:13 am and encountered a second accident involving a container truck that collided with a MACK truck. The driver of the container truck suffered a leg injury.
“The oil tanker, without a registration number ,was fully loaded with diesel and reportedly suffered a brake failure while in motion, leading to a collision with multiple vehicles,” Okunbor recounted.
He added that the second crash, involving an articulated truck carrying a 40-foot container, occurred due to reckless driving and speeding, causing further traffic chaos. Both the container truck and the unregistered Mack truck.
“Unfortunately, three fatalities were recorded, and several critically injured victims had already been transported to nearby hospitals before emergency teams arrived.
“The vehicles involved included two Volkswagen Vanagon buses, one Mitsubishi Space bus, two mini-buses (Korope), and a Honda car.
“Emergency responders, including LASEMA, the police, and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, secured the area, temporarily closing the road and bridge to recover the vehicles and manage the traffic disruption”.
However, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) put the number of injured persons to 17, adding that the rescue team of the Authority was the first to arrive at the scene and promptly called in additional emergency responders, including the Lagos State Fire Service, LASAMBUS, (LASEMA), Response Unit (LRU), and Police men from Anthony Police Station.
According to Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq,” a passenger in one of the affected buses suffered fatal head injuries and died instantly. LASAMBUS personnel administered urgent medical care to the 17 injured individuals, who were subsequently transported to nearby hospitals for further treatment.
“The LASTMA Rescue Team swiftly cleared the wreckage, which included the loaded truck, to restore the flow of traffic and avert further gridlock”.
