CITIZENS COMPASS —A refuse truck belonging to the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), has reportedly skidded off a bridge around the Shitta, Surulere in Lagos State, killing a tricyclist popularly known as Marwa operator.
The incident occurred in the late hours of Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
The truck was said to be climbing the bridge when it developed and lost control while in motion leading to multiple accidents.
An eyewitness who did not disclose his identity alerted some social media users in the early hours of Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
The person who sent a message alongside a video clip called on people to check their loved ones around the area.
“Please check on your loved ones around Shitta in Surulere Lagos Nigeria.
“Information reaching me says a lawman truck fell from the bridge and landed on buses, keke marwa tricycles, and pedestrians.
“Casualty rate is high. This was a few minutes to 10 pm.
“May God help us.”
Confirming the accident in a statement, the Permanent Secretary, of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu “The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, received a distress call through the Toll-Free Emergency number 767/112, at 2215hrs yesterday night.
““The Agency activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans with Emergency Response Teams responding from Onipan, followed with necessary equipment from Cappa Base, the hub of LASEMA heavy-duty equipment in a 5-minute record time, at 2220hrs.”
“It was observed that a LAWMA PSP compactor truck was involved in a multiple accident when it reportedly suffered mechanical error (disengaged propeller), lost control, and crashed into a Kia Rio Saloon car, registration number unknown, on Shitta bridge.
“Further information gathered at the incident scene was that the compactor thereafter crashed down the side of the bridge onto a seven-passenger mini-bus (Korope) and a tricycle (Keke Marwa), killing the tri-cyclist instantly on impact.”
“In attendance at the incident scene were the LASEMA Response Team, LASAMBUS, LASTMA, Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Surulere Divisional Office, and Officers of the NPF from Iponri Police Station,” he added.
