No fewer than three persons lost their lives, while 17 others sustained varying degrees of injuries, in multiple accidents along the Maryland area of Lagos State in the early hours of Sunday.
The Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Nosa Okunbor, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
Okunbor explained that the first accident occurred when a diesel-laden tanker experienced brake failure and rammed into several vehicles, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuries to an unspecified number of others.
He added that upon the LASEMA team’s arrival at the scene around 1 a.m., they discovered another crash involving a containerised truck that had collided with a MACK truck, leaving the container truck driver with a leg injury.
He recounted, “Upon the arrival of the LASEMA Response Teams at the scene of the incident at 0113hrs, the LRT encountered a multiple-vehicle accident involving an oil tanker, registration number unknown, fully laden with diesel.
“The tanker reportedly suffered a mechanical failure (brake failure) while in motion, lost control, and crashed into several cars, resulting in numerous casualties.
“The second accident involved an articulated truck, registration number unknown, carrying a fully loaded 40-foot container, which reportedly collided with a MACK truck, also unregistered, loaded with refill industrial bottles. The crash was attributed to reckless driving and speeding.
“Sadly, three fatalities were reported in the multiple accidents, with the bodies removed before the LRTs arrived. An unspecified number of people were critically injured and had already been taken to various hospitals by the time the LRTs reached the scene.”
Okunbor identified the vehicles involved in the accidents as two Volkswagen Vanagon commercial buses, one Mitsubishi Space Bus, two mini-buses (Korope), and one Honda car.
He added that emergency responders were able to secure the area and implement critical safety and traffic control measures, which led to the temporary closure of the road and bridge.
The LASEMA spokesperson continued, “Recovery efforts for the accident trucks and other vehicles began immediately upon the arrival of equipment at the scene.
“The two LASEMA Response Teams, along with other responders, worked tirelessly to recover all vehicles involved in the road accident and to alleviate the traffic gridlock caused by the incident.”
Reacting to the incident, the LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, extended his condolences to the family of the deceased and wished the injured victims a swift recovery.
Bakare-Oki, who spoke through LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, noted that the agency would continue to ensure the safety of road users while confirming that 17 people were injured.
“Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones affected by this tragic accident. We remain committed to ensuring the safety of all road users in Lagos State,” he stated.
Emergency responders at the scene included the LASEMA team, the police, and operatives from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and LASTMA.
