CITIZENS COMPASS– ONE of the survivors of the accident involving a Lagos State staff bus and passenger train on Thursday, March 9, 2023, Titilayo, has narrated how passengers of the ill-fated bus begged the driver to wait for the train to pass, all to know avail.
On Thursday evening, Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo put the official figure of fatalities at six when he visited the survivors at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, where they were receiving medical treatment.
Recall that the train collided with the bus at PWD bus-stop, off Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway, at about 8am on Thursday, Match 9, 2023 and dragged it to Fajuyi Road thereby recording three fatalities on the spot with many people sustaining varying degrees of injuries.
Three of the victims were said to have died later putting the official figure of the casualties at six but eye witnesses’ accounts said over ten persons lost their lives to the incident.
The bus was conveying staff of the Lagos State government and their dependants to work when it collided with the train while trying to cross a rail track in the area.
Eye witnesses’ accounts said the driver refused to obey the Flagging Officers of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) asking the bus driver to stop in order to avoid the accident.
Ordeal
Titilayo, a middle-aged female staff of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja, who sustained injuries on her lower limbs said, “I boarded the staff bus while going to work.
“The incident occurred at about 7.15am. When we got to the intersection at PWD in Ikeja, the driver continued driving.
“Passengers inside the bus, including myself, begged him to wait for the train to pass before crossing, but he didn’t listen.
“Midway, just before he could finish crossing the rail tracks, the accident happened. Many of us were rushed here, while five others were taken to Gbagada General Hospital.” said Titilayo.
Citizens Compass reports that a resident of Sogunle, Musa Hayatou, said: “From what I witnessed, so far, two people died on the spot.
“Many of them were rescued from the ill fated bus, but some were critically injured and it will take the grace of God for them to survive. Some victims who suffered broken bones were rushed to the hospital.
“I don’t know if more people have passed on. Another victim was hit by a large stone. I don’t know whether he was still living or not before he was eventually taken away by officials of Lagos State Emergency Agency, LASEMA.
Blame the driver
“I think the fault is from the driver, because before a train gets to a level crossing, it begins to alarm from a kilometre away and, if you are a good driver, you should be conversant with the alert.
Asked if it is a usual occurrence in the area, he said, “This is the first time an accident involving a train and a BRT bus happened here. However, we usually have accident involving BRT buses with other vehicles at the bus stop.”
Meanwhile, reports from hospitals where the survivours are being attended to indicate that the death toll has increased to six .
Two died on the spot while others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
