Emmanuel Clement
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) have jointly responded to two road accidents caused by excessive speed and perilous road conditions due to incessant rainfall in Lagos.
In a press release signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq stated that the first accident was a lone accident involving a Ford automobile occurred along Ozumba Mbadiwe road, Victoria Island, when the driver lost control of the vehicle due to reckless velocity and rain-slicked roadway.
Investigator news reports that the driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was critically injured.The violent collision caused the motorist to strike his chest forcefully against the steering wheel, rendering him critically unconscious and he was rescued by LASTMA operatives and LASAMBUS medical personnel.
In a related but equally tragic development, a multiple-vehicle collision occurred between a Coaster bus (NCA 118 XB) and a Mini bus (FKJ 118 XB) at Volks, inward Abule-Ado.
Investigations disclosed that the coaster bus, travelling at an inordinate speed on the slippery highway, lost control amidst the torrential downpour and violently rammed into the mini bus.
LASTMA personnel, with swift collaboration from medical responders, extricated two gravely injured male victims and urgently transported them to GMC Hospital, Ilaje, Abule-Ado for immediate treatment.
Reinforcement was duly provided by security operatives from the Ojo Divisional Police Command.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, urged motorists to exercise caution and reduce their speed during the rainy season to prevent accidents.
He further conveyed his heartfelt wishes for the swift and complete recovery of all accident victims currently receiving treatment.
Mr Bakare-Oki went further to reaffirm the authority’s commitment to safeguarding human lives, preserving public safety, and ensuring uninterrupted traffic management across Lagos State.
