Two killed as truck crashes into bus, tricycles in Lagos

LASTMA boss, Bakare-Oki. Photo: File

Two yet-to-be-identified persons have been confirmed dead, while three others sustained injuries following a multiple-vehicle collision at Iyana Meiran in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The accident, which occurred on Meiran Road near the Primary Health Centre, involved a silo mixer truck, a commercial minibus and four tricycles.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Taofiq Adebayo, stated that preliminary findings indicated that the silo mixer truck, allegedly driven at high speed, suffered brake failure, lost control and rammed into the vehicles.

The impact, according to the agency, led to severe damage, with several commuters trapped in the wreckage.

“Preliminary security findings revealed that the tragic occurrence was triggered by a Dangote Silo Mixer Truck, which, while being operated at an inordinately high speed, suffered a sudden brake failure and consequently lost control.

“The runaway truck forcefully rammed into a commercial minibus, popularly referred to as ‘Korope’ (EPP 541 YF), as well as four tricycles (Marwa): KTU 360 QN, LND 444 QL, LSR 444 QN, and EKY 122 QP.

“The violent impact culminated in extensive destruction, trapping commuters amid mangled vehicles and twisted wreckage,” the statement partly read.

Adebayo added that LASTMA officials, with the assistance of passersby, rescued three critically injured victims from the crushed vehicles and immediately evacuated them.

According to him, LASTMA officials immediately cordoned off the entire corridor and instituted comprehensive traffic control and diversion measures to ensure the safety of responders and forestall secondary collisions.

He further stated that security operatives from the Meiran Police Division were also alerted, with the Divisional Police Officer leading officers to the scene to provide security during rescue and recovery operations.

The driver of the Dangote mixer truck, however, reportedly fled the scene after the crash, while the remains of the two deceased victims were handed over to the police, who conveyed them from the scene with an ambulance.

Reacting, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

 Bakare-Oki urged motorists, especially operators of heavy-duty vehicles, to ensure that their braking systems and other critical components are in good condition before embarking on any journey.

He also warned against speeding, noting that mechanical negligence and excessive speed remain major and avoidable causes of fatal road crashes in the state.

“He reiterated the Agency’s unwavering commitment to the preservation of lives and property on Lagos roads and re-emphasised the critical obligation of all motorists, particularly operators of heavy-duty and articulated vehicles, to ensure that their braking systems and other vital mechanical components are thoroughly inspected and certified roadworthy before embarking on any journey.

“Mr Bakare-Oki further admonished drivers to adhere strictly to government-regulated speed limits, stressing that mechanical negligence and excessive speeding remain persistent and avoidable causes of fatal road crashes.

“LASTMA once again appeals to all road users to exercise utmost caution, prioritise vehicle roadworthiness and uphold traffic regulations in the collective interest of public safety across Lagos State,” the statement added.

Road crashes involving articulated and heavy-duty vehicles have remained a recurring concern in Lagos.

PUNCH Metro reported on December 11 that a truck accident claimed the lives of a family of three along the Otedola Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.