CITIZENS COMPASS – Emergency responders in Lagos State have activated search and rescue for a drainage worker who was trapped in an underground drainage at Onipanu area of the State.
The man said to be an employee of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), was trapped while trying to dislodge and evacuate debris from the underground drainages.
Residents were said to have alerted the government about the incident and this prompted an emergency operation.
The General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Oluwakemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed this in his updates at about 8.16p.m on Monday.
“Following an SOS message on the distress situation of a Drainage Worker, LASEMA activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans from its Onipanu Base.
“Upon arrival of the emergency responders at the incident scene, investigations revealed that an adult male de-silting drainages along that axis in attempts to clear a blocked portion, accessed the underground tunnel and got trapped.
“Further investigation at the incident scene revealed that the man was a Drain Ducks worker employed by LAMATA, while trying to dislodge and evacuate debris from the underground drainage unfortunately got trapped in between the tunnel.
“Status: In the conducting the Search and Rescue Operation, LASEMA Response Team and all Emergency Responders are working together assiduously to rescue the trapped victim from inside the underground drainage which commenced at 1625hrs.
“In order to hasten positive results, sophisticated equipment equipment has been deployed in the penetrative of the manhole to save the worker’s life, while strategic efforts has.also been employed to block off, and divert inflow of water from the Ilupeju axis so reduce the volume of underground fluids.
“Search and rescue operations are still ongoing.
“In Attendance: LASEMA Response Team at Onipanu alongside Lagos Fire and Rescue Service, LAMATA, KAI and LASTMA.
“More updates to follow.”
