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By Christopher Oji
Two persons have died while three others were injured yesterday, at Iyana Meiran,inward Meiran Road, by the Primary Health Centre (PHC), Meiran, Lagos , when a mixer truck rammed into four vehicles.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said,” preliminary findings revealed that the accident was caused by break failure,making the truck to lose control.
“ The runaway truck forcefully rammed into a commercial mini-bus, popularly known as Korope, with registration number :EPP 541 YF, as well as four tricycles ( Keke Marwa),with registration numbers :KTU 360 QN, LND 444 QL, LSR 444 QN, and EKY 122 QP. The violent impact culminated in extensive destruction, trapping commuters amid mangled vehicles and twisted wreckage.
Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq,in a statement, said,”Exhibiting exceptional professionalism, promptness and operational dexterity, LASTMA personnel swiftly mobilised to the accident scene and with the invaluable assistance of public-spirited passersby, successfully rescued and evacuated three injured victims,who were trapped within the crushed vehicles. To ensure the safety of responders and forestall secondary collisions, the Authority immediately cordoned off the entire corridor and instituted comprehensive traffic control and diversion measures.
“In line with established inter-agency emergency response protocols, security operatives from the Meiran Police Division were promptly notified by LASTMA Officers. The Divisional Police Officer, personally led a team of officers to the crash site, providing crucial security reinforcement throughout the rescue and recovery operations.
“Regrettably, the driver of the Silo Mixer Truck absconded from the scene upon realising the gravity of the incident.
“All injured victims were expeditiously conveyed to Mobonke Hospital, Meiran Road, for urgent and intensive medical care, while the remains of the two deceased persons were formally handed over to the Nigeria Police, who subsequently arranged conveyance with an ambulance.”
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki expressed deep sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, while wishing the injured victims a speedy and full recovery.
He reiterated the Agency’s unwavering commitment to the preservation of lives and property on Lagos roads and re-emphasized the critical obligation of all motorists, particularly operators of heavy-duty and articulated vehicles to ensure that their braking systems and other vital mechanical components are thoroughly inspected and certified roadworthy before embarking on any journey.
Mr. Bakare-Oki further admonished drivers to adhere strictly to government-regulated speed limits, stressing that mechanical negligence and excessive speeding remain persistent and avoidable causes of fatal road crashes.
LASTMA once again appeals to all road users to exercise utmost caution, prioritise vehicle roadworthiness and uphold traffic regulations in the collective interest of public safety across the state
