Container crushes nine persons to death, another rescued in Lagos
...LASTMA warns drivers
CITIZENS COMPASS– One person is in critical condition while nine others were traped to death, on Sunday, in Lagos State, as a containerised truck landed on a mini commercial bus (korope) on Ojuelegba bridge.
However, an adult female was fortunate to be rescued by emergency responders.
The incident occurred at about 12:45pm.
It was learnt that the bus with number plate, KTU 921YG was picking up passengers by the side of the bridge when the truck lost control and fell on it trapping all the occupants in the bus.
Eye witnesses’ account said due the gravity of the incident, emergency responders had to lift the fallen container with forklift and thereafter smashed the bus to recover the casualties.
The incident was confirmed by Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASTMA) and Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service which responded to the emergency with other agencies.
In his updates, LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu who confirmed the incident gave the breakdown of the casualties as four male adults, three female adults, One male child and One girl child.
In his updates, Adebayo Taofiq
Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA, said, “Preliminary investigation revealed that the containerised truck lost control while ascending the Ojuelegba bridge and fell on a fully loaded commercial bus (korope) while on motion on Ojuelegba Bridge (directly opposite Lagos Fire Service Station).
The only passenger rescued by LASTMA personnel was handed over to Medical personnel (Emergency Responder) who came to the accident scene along with LASTMA Officials.
“Other emergency responders at the scene include the Lagos State Fire Service, LASEMA, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), among others.
“The General Manager of LASTMA Mr Bolaji Oreagba however warned motorists particularly commercial bus drivers to always be very careful while driving along with any trucks either on top of a bridge or on an expressway across the State.”
Recurring decimal
Recall that series of accidents involving unlatched containers on articulated trucks have occurred on Ojuelegba bridge which has sent many innocent lives to their early graves.
In the first quarter of 2022, a minimum of three accidents involving these heavy-duty vehicles were recorded on the bridge leading to the death of some road users.
In September 2015, an accident claimed the lives of three members of a family. One of the affected family instituted a N10b compensation suit at the Lagos State High Court. Both the Lagos and federal governments, along with the owners of the truck were listed as defendants in the case.
In 2018, two persons died when a truck loaded with boards and plywood tilted on the bridge and thereafter crashed injuring many.
In 2021, three friends and a cab driver, who were trapped in their vehicle for several hours, survived the ordeal after a fallen tanker fell on the vehicle. It was the first accident, in which all occupants of the vehicle survived.
LASEMA, LASTMA and the fire service said the Sunday incident claimed nine lives while one person was rescued.
Osanyintolu said, “After suspending the container load with the aid of the Agency’s forklift and cutting off the top of the bus with light rescue equipment, a single adult woman was extricated alive and taken to the trauma centre.”
Bridge needs rehabilitation – Motorist
Concerning the incidents, a motorist, Muritala Oyamakin has this to say, “The only solution to the frequent accidents on Ojuelegba bridge is to demolish and reconstruct it.
“As you are coming from Stadium, you will see it clearly that the bridge is bent to the right side of the road. Therefore, it should be attended to.”
