A terrible incident between a J5 Ford bus and a Mercedes truck on the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge has killed one person and injured four others.
The accident occurred early on Monday, December 16, in Ilubirin, near Sura, causing considerable traffic disruptions along the busy highway.
Officials from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), led by General Manager Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, came quickly on scene. With the help of spectators, they retrieved four victims from the wreckage, three of whom lived.
According to reports, one person died after being trapped in the J5 Ford bus carrying pepper and other perishable products.
Preliminary investigations found that the J5 Ford bus, registered FKJ 724 YC, failed to brake while going at high speed, resulting in a collision with the Mercedes truck, registered FKJ 746 YC.
Emergency response teams, including the Lasema Response Unit (LRU), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigerian Police Force, and LASAMBUS, assisted LASTMA in dealing with the aftermath. The survivors were immediately sent to Lagos Island General Hospital for medical treatment.
LASTMA officials worked feverishly to clean the wreckage and spill perishable products, resuming traffic passage on the bridge.
Mr. Bakare-Oki expressed sympathies to the bereaved family and emphasised the importance of road safety, particularly as the festive season approaches.
He asked drivers, especially those running heavy-duty vehicles, to avoid speeding and to keep their vehicles in good condition before embarking on excursions.
“This incident is a grim reminder of the dangers posed by faulty braking systems and excessive speeding,” Bakare-Oki said. He called on motorists to prioritize safety to prevent further tragedies.