Two Dispatch Riders Die As Trucks Collide In Lagos
Tragedy struck on Sunday morning as two dispatch riders were crushed to death in a horrific crash involving two articulated trucks on the Eko Bridge, inward Alaka, Lagos.
It was gathered that the collision occurred when one of the trucks, reportedly speeding and driven by a dozing driver, lost control and rammed into another moving truck.
The violent impact caused a 20-foot container to dislodge from one of the trucks, fatally crushing the two riders who were navigating the route at the time.
The accident instantly drew the attention of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officers who were on routine patrol beneath the bridge.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of LASTM, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, said a coordinated rescue effort saw one severely injured truck driver pulled from the wreckage and rushed to a nearby hospital in a state-owned ambulance.
However, two other truck drivers reportedly fled the scene before emergency responders arrived.
To prevent further incidents, Adebayo stated that LASTMA officers cordoned off the affected section of the bridge and redirected traffic through the Costain Roundabout, onward to Alaka and Stadium.
“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,” he said in a statement.
Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives.
He urged drivers, especially those operating heavy-duty vehicles, to remain vigilant, avoid driving under fatigue, and ensure their vehicles are in proper condition before hitting the road.
The agency confirmed that investigations are underway to apprehend the fleeing drivers.
Other emergency response teams at the scene aside LASEMA, included the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LSNSC), State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU), and officers from the Iporin Division of the Nigeria Police Force.
Two Dispatch Riders Die As Trucks Collide In Lagos is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
