Tragedy struck early Sunday morning as two dispatch riders lost their lives in a fatal accident involving two fully loaded Mack trucks on Eko Bridge, inward the Alaka corridor of Lagos.
This was confirmed in a statement released by the General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki. The statement was signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Mr. Taofiq Adebayo.
According to preliminary investigations, one of the truck drivers, reportedly speeding and suspected of dozing off behind the wheel, lost control of the vehicle. The truck veered off course and rammed into another truck ahead of it. The collision triggered a violent impact, causing a 20-foot container to become dislodged and fall onto two unsuspecting dispatch riders passing by.
“Both victims were confirmed dead at the scene,” Bakare-Oki stated, expressing deep sorrow over the incident.
LASTMA officers, who were on routine traffic monitoring beneath the bridge, responded swiftly. They were able to rescue one severely injured truck driver, who was immediately transported to a nearby hospital by a Lagos State Government ambulance.
However, the other two truck drivers involved in the crash fled the scene, presumably out of fear of legal consequences. Bakare-Oki confirmed that investigations are underway to locate and apprehend the fleeing individuals.
To prevent further incidents, LASTMA personnel cordoned off the affected section of the bridge and redirected traffic through Coastain Roundabout toward Stadium via Alaka.
The LASTMA General Manager extended condolences to the bereaved families and underscored the importance of responsible driving, especially for operators of heavy-duty vehicles. He emphasized the need for drivers to remain alert, avoid fatigue, and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on any journey.
He also highlighted LASTMA’s continued commitment to public safety through robust awareness campaigns targeted at instilling safety consciousness among commercial and articulated vehicle operators.
Other emergency responders at the scene included the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU), and officers from the Iporin Police Division.