Five passengers critically injured as 40-ft truck rams commercial buses in Lagos

Five passengers were critically injured on Tuesday afternoon after a 40-foot HOWO truck rammed into two commercial buses at Berger Bus Stop inward Kara Bridge, Ojodu axis of Lagos State.

Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Taofiq Adebayo confirmed the incident in a statement.

Adebayo said the accident involved the truck, which was travelling out of Lagos, an interstate commercial Mazda bus and a Toyota Hiace bus, both conveying passengers.

According to the statement, the collision triggered substantial traffic disruption along the corridor and necessitated an immediate rescue and traffic management operation.

The agency said its operatives stationed around the Ojodu-Berger axis responded swiftly, rescuing five seriously injured passengers, comprising three females and two males, including a driver.

The victims were evacuated from the scene and conveyed for urgent medical attention, the statement further reads.

The agency said security personnel from Isheri Police Station provided reinforcement, while the injured victims were transported by motorists, accompanied by LASTMA officials, to the Lagos State Emergency and Trauma Centre at Toll Gate for treatment.

LASTMA personnel also evacuated all vehicles involved, including the articulated truck, from the carriageway to prevent secondary accidents and restore vehicular movement.

The collision had caused an extensive traffic backlog with queues stretching back to Otedola Bridge, but officials remained deployed along the affected stretch to regulate traffic and restore fluidity, the agency said.

Following the removal of the accident vehicles, they were handed over to the police for further investigation.

General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed sympathy with the injured passengers and wished them speedy recovery.

He emphasised the importance of responsible motoring, compliance with road safety regulations and routine maintenance of heavy-duty vehicles, particularly those plying major highways, where mechanical deficiencies or reckless driving can have catastrophic consequences.

LASTMA reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and urged motorists, particularly operators of articulated trucks, to prioritise vehicle roadworthiness and comply with traffic directives.