BLACK THURSDAY! Three dead, 84 rescued as train collides with Lagos staff bus

CITIZENS COMPASS– IN what could be described as a black Thursday, at least, three people were confirmed dead while 84 others were injured on Thursday, in Lagos when a train collided with a staff bus belonging to Lagos State Government.

The incident occurred at about 8am when the Bus Rapid Transit with number plate, LAGOS Q4A-48LA and Bus code, 250033 rammed into a moving train due to reckless driving on the part of the driver.

It was learnt that the bus was conveying workers to work while the training was journeying from Abeokuta to Lagos when the unfortunate occurred.

According to eye witnesses’ accounts, two flag officers of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) reportedly tried to flag down the bus driver alerting him that the train was approaching but he was said to have ignores them and zoomed off thereby colliding with the train at PWD bus stop, off Old Works Road. in the Ikeja area.

The train was said to have dragged the bus from PWD to Adekunle Fajuyi Road before it eventually stopped.

An eye witness, Musa Hayat blamed the bus driver for driving on high speed and ignoring the alert of the flag officers thereby exposing many people to danger.

Musa said though passengers were not seated on top of the coaches but some were hanging by the entrances which may pose have exposed them to danger during the accident.

He said one of the victims which fell off from the train had a heavy stone rolled on the yet- to-be- identified person.

The victims were said to have comprise passengers from both the train and illfated bus as well as passers by.

Confirming the incident, The Coordinator, Lagos State Territorial District, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu put the casualties as two adult females and One young male who were recovered dead from the scene of the collusion.

According to first responders at the scene, 84 persons were rescued to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja for comprehensive medical treatment.

It was learnt that many of those rescued suffered serious bone injuries during the incident.

According to Farinloye,

The State Government staff bus was trying to cross the PWD/Sogunle rail crossing while the train coming into Lagos from Abeokuta trapped the bus on its rail.”

In his situation report, Osanyintolu said,

“On arrival of the agency’s response team at the scene of incident, it was discovered that a Viale BRT bus with an unknown registration number and a train were involved in an accident at the above mentioned location.

“Investigation gathered revealed that the immediate cause of the incident was due to reckless driving from part of the BRT bus driver while trying to beat the train road signal before the moving train rammed into the BRT bus.

Unfortunately,Three (3) adults ( two females one male) confirmed dead and 84 people are seriously injured.

“The injured victims have been administered first aid treatment by the agency’s medical team (paramedics) and LASAMBUS officials and were well stabilized before being transported to Ikeja General Hospital and trauma center for further treatment.

“The agency pre hospital care unit, LASAMBUS officials, Nigeria Police Force, LASTMA, LNSC and Nigerian Army are responders present at the scene of incident.”

Reacting, the Minister for Transportation, Muazu Sambo, said,
“One of the most disturbing photos from the scene of the Train/Bus accident at PWD-Shogunle today, was that of an unidentified man who was crushed by a huge stone. Could have just been an innocent passerby. May the souls of the dead victims rest in peace while wishing the injured quick recovery

We are saddened by the news of the accident which occurred this morning involving a train operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a Lagos State staff bus, conveying workers to duty early hours of today in Shogunle, Lagos.

“We pray for eternal repose for those who have lost their lives and we pray the Almighty God grant them eternal rest and we pray speedy recovery to the injured.

“We commiserate with the families of the victims and particularly the Governor and people of Lagos state. Please accept our deepest concern and sincere condolences.

“We also appreciate the corporation we got from the Lagos State Government, NEMA and concerned Nigerians who swung into action after the ill-fated incident to ensure the site was cleared and the injured got treatment almost immediately.”

As at 11.28am, Farinloye said “2 adult females, 1 young male recovered dead.
84 rescued alive to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Ikeja.”