NIGERIA: Fatal Accident On Third Mainland Bridge Claims One Life, Leaves Five Injured

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed the death of a yet to be identified person, who was involved in a road accident at Ilubirin along the Third Mainland Bridge early this morning.

In a statement issued on Monday, LASTMA Director of Public Affairs, Adebayo Taofiq, disclosed that the incident left five others injured.

Taofiq explained that the accident was caused when the driver of a J5 Ford bus driver, who was driving recklessly, lost control of the vehicle due to brake failure, leading to a collision with a Mercedes truck.

The statement further revealed that the bus was transporting pepper and other perishable goods at the time of the crash.

The statement reads:

“The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed a tragic collision involving a J5 Ford bus (FKJ 724 YC) and a Mercedes truck (FKJ 746 YC) at Ilubirin, inward Sura, along the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge,” the statement reads.

“The accident, which occurred earlier today, claimed one life and left a total of five individuals affected. LASTMA Officials, under the leadership of the General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, promptly arrived at the scene and spearheaded the rescue operations.

“With the support of concerned bystanders, four victims were extricated from the wreckage, three of whom were rescued alive.

“Tragically, one individual, trapped inside the J5 Ford bus laden with pepper and other perishable goods, succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.

“Preliminary findings suggest that the J5 Ford bus experienced brake failure while traveling at high speed, resulting in a collision with the Mercedes truck.”

However, the injured victims have been taken to hospital for treatment, and the vehicles involved in the crash have been towed off the road to ensure free traffic flow.

The general manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, has however, urged road users to drive safely and ensure their vehicles are in good shape during the yuletide.