Four dead, seven hurt in Lagos road crashes

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has reported that four people died and seven others were injured in three different road accidents in Lagos on Wednesday.

The deadly crash, which led to the four deaths, took place at Berger Bridge, heading towards Eleko, along the Ibeju-Lekki Expressway. A truck carrying a 20-foot container flipped over onto a Toyota Hiace bus.

LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the agency got a distress call and quickly sent a response team from its Epe base to the scene.

He added that initial findings revealed the truck was speeding while going up the bridge when it collided with the bus. The driver lost control while trying to avoid the accident, causing the truck to topple onto the bus.

Four adult men died at the scene, while six other people were injured and taken to Epe General Hospital after getting first aid.

LASEMA, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the police secured the area. A private crane was brought in to lift the truck and container and recover the bodies, while measures were put in place to manage traffic.

This crash happened just days after a mother and her child died when two container trucks overturned near Freeman Market at Mile 2, heading towards Apapa, Lagos. They were trapped under the trucks and their containers.

In another accident on Wednesday, a truck crashed into a solar-powered streetlight pole near Vetland School, heading towards Agege Pen Cinema, along Old Abeokuta Road, around 4:09 a.m.

The truck, with registration number KTU-940XT, struck the pole, climbed the road median, and blocked traffic.

Mr Oke-Osanyintolu said initial findings suggested reckless driving, but thankfully, no one was hurt.

LASEMA’s Tiger Team from its C3 base diverted traffic and used its heavy-duty recovery vehicle called Elephant to move the truck. It was later taken to Abattoir Police Station for investigation and safekeeping.

The third accident occurred at Lanre Bus Stop, heading towards Igando, along LASU-Igando Road, where a DAF truck collided with a Toyota Corolla.

Mr Oke-Osanyintolu explained that a broken-down truck on the other side of the road had caused traffic when the DAF truck drove against the flow and hit the car.

The DAF truck had registration number SMK 795 XY, while the Corolla was registered as AKD 169 EA.

The crash blocked half of the road towards Igando. The Corolla driver suffered a minor head injury and was taken to Igando General Hospital by a friend, according to the permanent secretary.

The Corolla was towed to Igando police division, while LASEMA sent its recovery vehicle, Super Metro, to remove the DAF truck and clear the road.

Mr Oke-Osanyintolu urged drivers to follow speed limits, avoid driving against traffic, and check that their vehicles are in good condition before setting out.

He also encouraged residents to report emergencies using the state's toll-free numbers, 767 and 112. He expressed condolences to the families of those who died and wished the injured a quick recovery.