By Bose Adelaja
CITIZENS COMPASS–A dispatch rider on Friday, lost his life in a multiple accident just as two others were rescued along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos.
The accident involving a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Kia Rio and motorcycle occurred near Chevron, toward Ikota.
An eye witness, Mr Akinloye Amos, told Citizens Compass that the impact of the accident disrupted free flow of traffic on both sides of the road from Tollgate, Chevron, Ajah and their environs.
According to him, “A serious accident occurred at Chevron junction inward Ajah and this has disrupted the free flow of traffic from Chevron to Ajah.
“Road users from Ajah will experience the Traffic at Tollgate.as a High Capacity Bus from Ajah inward Lekki has veered off its lane to the other side crashing into other vehicles. A dispatch rider has lost his life.”
Confirming the accident in a statement, spokesperson, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), said, “Preliminary investigation revealed that a high-capacity ‘T&M’ bus (AKD 952 XZ) lost control due to brake failure while speeding, colliding with an oncoming ‘KIA RIO’ vehicle (BDG 853 DA). The impact caused the KIA RIO to crash into a dispatch motorcycle (KTU 695 QK) in the opposite direction.
“The dispatch rider was pronounced dead at the scene, while two others sustained serious fractures and were rushed to a nearby hospital by a good Samaritan who was driving along the expressway.
“Police officers from Ajiwe and Ilasan Police Stations provided security during the rescue operations conducted by LASTMA personnel and other emergency responders.
“The General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased and sympathized with the two injured victims.
“He also urged motorists, particularly high-capacity bus drivers, to ensure their vehicles are in proper working condition, especially the braking system, before embarking on any journey within or outside the state.”
BRT passengers injured
Similarly, many passengers of another fully loaded Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) were injured when the bus fell by its side in at Araromi, Iyana-Ipaja area along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
The accident was said to have occurred before 7.a.m when the bus heading for Obalende reportedly took off from Iyana-Ipaja.
Eyewitnesses’ accounts gave conflicting reports about the accident.
One of them said the bus driver was using his mobile phone when the accident occurred while another said the accident occurred while trying to dodge a pedestrian on the dedicated lane.
Reports from the axis said about 10 passengers were injured during the accident but there was no record of fatalities.
Confirming the accident, LASTMA on its X Handle said, “A fully loaded high-capacity bus fell on its side inside the dedicated lane (BRT lane) with a record of 10 casualties (Victims), which they were taken care of.”
In his preliminary report, Spokesperson, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Nosar Okunbor, said, “Following distress calls to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, via the 767/112 Toll-Free Emergency lines at 0635hrs, the Agency activated it’s Dolphin Response Team from the Igando Base.
“Upon arrival of the Dolphin Response Team at the incident scene, the LRT discovered that a fallen BRT Bus registration number BDG 390 XR, loaded to capacity at the above mentioned location.
“Investigations revealed that the BRT Bus had taken-off from Iyana Ipaja BRT Bus Terminal and headed to Obalende before the accident occurred while the BRT Bus driver was attempting to avoid hitting a pedestrian.
“An Hausa pedestrian hawking plantain from a wheelbarrow reportedly dashed across the BRT corridor, causing the BRT driver to swerve suddenly and in the process lost control of the bus, climbed the road divider, falling on it’s side.
“Fortunately, no lives were reported lost due to the incident.
“Though some passengers escaped unhurt, many of the BRT bus passengers reportedly sustained critical injuries and had been taken to an unknown hospital before arrival of the Dolphin Response Team at the incident scene.
“All necessary safety measures have been activated to safeguard responders and road users during the operation.
“Primary responders at the incident scene are collaborating to ensure a speedy recovery of the fallen BRT bus and restoration of normalcy to the BRT corridor.
“The fallen BRT bus has been lifted upright and towed off to Moshalashi Police Station near Alimosho roundabout with the Tow Truck provided by the officials of NPF at the incident scene.
“Road has been re-opened for vehicular activities. Recovery operation concluded.
“In attendance; LASEMA Response Team, LASTMA, BRT representatives and officials the Nigerian Police Force.”
In a related development, LASTMA informed members of the public that free flow of traffic was disrupted along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, when a loaded truck fell at Durbar Junction blocking the road inward Alakija.
The Authority disclosed this on its X Handle which reads, “This post read, “[7:22 AM] #LagBadgryExp #DurbarJunction #AccidentReport There is a fallen loaded truck at Durbar junction inward Alakija that took 100% of the road.
“Traffic has been diverted through the service lane from Orile heading towards Durbar.
“Effort is ongoing to evacuate it from the road and our men are firmly in position to monitor the situation.
“Transloading of contents in the fallen truck is currently ongoing. We apologize for the inconvenience. LASTMAcares!”
Similarly, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the State government on Friday dislodged activities causing gridlock at Iyana-Ipaja bus-stop.
He disclosed this on his X Handle which read, “Today, 57 commercial vehicles and tricycles were impounded at Iyana Ipaja for illegal parking and unauthorized passenger pickups, which caused severe traffic congestion…
“The affected areas have now been cleared, and traffic flow has been restored.
“We remind all road users that any actions leading to gridlock will not be tolerated in Lagos
State. Please comply with traffic regulations to ensure smooth movement for all.”
