A deadly crash occurred on Monday morning at Ilubirin, near Sura, on the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge, involving a J5 Ford bus and a Mercedes truck. According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the accident resulted in one fatality and left four others injured.
LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, reported on X.com that LASTMA officials, led by General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki, swiftly responded to the scene and initiated rescue efforts.
The statement read, “The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has confirmed a tragic incident involving a J5 Ford bus (FKJ 724 YC) and a Mercedes truck (FKJ 746 YC) at Ilubirin, inward Sura, on the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge.”
“The collision, which occurred earlier today, resulted in one death and affected a total of five individuals.”
“LASTMA officials, led by General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki, quickly arrived at the scene and took charge of the rescue operations. With the help of bystanders, four victims were pulled from the wreckage, three of whom were alive.”
“Sadly, one individual, who was trapped inside the J5 Ford bus, which was carrying pepper and other perishable goods, succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.”
The survivors were taken to the General Hospital on Lagos Island for urgent medical care.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the J5 Ford bus experienced brake failure while traveling at high speed, which led to the crash with the Mercedes truck.
Emergency teams, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigerian Police Force, worked alongside LASTMA to manage the situation.
Traffic congestion extended from the accident site to the Unilag waterfront on the Third Mainland Bridge, but LASTMA confirmed that its team cleared the wreckage, removed the vehicles, and disposed of the perishable goods, restoring traffic flow.
Bakare-Oki extended his condolences to the deceased’s family and stressed the importance of road safety, particularly with the holiday season approaching. He also urged drivers, especially those operating heavy-duty vehicles, to avoid speeding and ensure their vehicles, especially the braking systems, are in good condition before traveling.
