A fatal accident on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State on Monday morning claimed one life and left three others injured.
Emergency responders, with the assistance of bystanders, rescued the survivors and transported them to the General Hospital on Lagos Island for urgent medical attention.
The accident involved a J5 Ford bus, laden with pepper and other perishable goods, and a Mercedes truck in a head-on collision.
Emergency response teams, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS), and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), coordinated the rescue operation.
LASTMA spokesperson Adebayo Taofiq confirmed the incident, attributing the cause to brake failure on the J5 Ford bus.
“With the support of concerned bystanders, four victims were extricated from the wreckage, three of whom were rescued alive. Tragically, one individual, trapped inside the J5 Ford bus laden with pepper and other perishable goods, succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.
“Preliminary findings suggest that the J5 Ford bus experienced brake failure while traveling at high speed, resulting in a collision with the Mercedes truck,” Adebayo stated.
LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki extended condolences to the bereaved family and emphasized the importance of road safety, particularly during the festive season.
He urged drivers, especially operators of heavy-duty vehicles, to avoid speeding and ensure their vehicles, especially braking systems, are in optimal condition before travel.
This accident comes less than 24 hours after another tragedy in the Ikorodu area of Lagos, where three people died following a collision between two trucks near Powerline, close to Cele Bus Stop, Ita-Oluwo.
Two other victims from the Ikorodu crash, trapped in the wreckage, were rescued alive and are currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital, Ikorodu.
