Emmanuel lkpeama.
A fatal accident involving two fully loaded Mack trucks with registration numbers T-10357 LA, and KJA 107 XM had a collision,overturn and crushed two dispatch riders to death at the Eko bridge inward Alaka corridor, Lagos.
In a release by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA,Adebayo Taofiq stated that the fatal incident which has sent ripples of grief and alarm through the Lagos motoring public,suggest that the driver of one of the articulated trucks, reportedly was driving at an excessive speed while allegedly dozing off, lost control of the vehicle.
He went further to state that the truck careened into another moving trucks ahead of it, which triggered into a violent impact, noting that the catastrophic 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 and both victims were confirmed dead at the scene.
Investigator news reports that swift and coordinated response from Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) Officers, who were on routine traffic monitoring duty beneath the Eko Bridge, ensured the immediate rescue of one severely injured truck driver. He was promptly transported to a nearby hospital in a Lagos State Government ambulance for urgent medical attention.
However, the remaining two truck drivers absconded from the scene, presumably out of fear of the grim aftermath.
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 Coastain Roundabout inward Alaka en route to Stadium.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, in his message of condolence to the bereaved families, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives.
He reiterated the critical importance of responsible driving, particularly for operators of articulated vehicles, while urging all drivers to exercise utmost caution,maintain full alertness, and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before commencing any journey.
Mr. Bakare-Oki further emphasized that the Agency’s ongoing, robust public enlightenment campaigns aimed at instilling safety consciousness among drivers, especially those operating heavy-duty vehicles,as investigations are currently underway to trace and apprehend the fleeing drivers involved in the fatal crash.
Investigator news gathered that other emergency responders at the scene of the accident includes: Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LSNSC), State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) and Police man from Iporin Division of the State.
