One Dead, Four Injured in Third Mainland Bridge Accident
A tragic accident involving a J5 Ford bus and a Mercedes truck occurred on Monday morning at Ilubirin, inward Sura, along Lagos’ Third Mainland Bridge, leaving one person dead and four others injured.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident in a statement by its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq. The accident reportedly happened due to a brake failure in the J5 Ford bus, which collided with the Mercedes truck while traveling at high speed.
LASTMA officials, led by General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki, arrived promptly at the scene to coordinate rescue operations. With the help of bystanders, they extricated four individuals from the wreckage, three of whom were rescued alive. However, one victim, trapped inside the J5 bus carrying pepper and other perishable goods, succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.
Survivors were rushed to the General Hospital on Lagos Island for emergency medical attention.
Emergency response teams from the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigerian Police Force collaborated with LASTMA to manage the situation. The accident caused significant traffic congestion, stretching from the crash site to the Unilag waterfront. LASTMA has since cleared the vehicles and debris to restore traffic flow.
Expressing condolences to the deceased’s family, Bakare-Oki emphasized the need for road safety, especially during the festive season. He urged drivers, particularly those operating heavy-duty vehicles, to avoid speeding and ensure their vehicles are in proper working condition, focusing on the braking systems.
This accident underscores the importance of vehicle maintenance and adherence to road safety regulations to prevent such tragic incidents
