Seven commuters escape death in Lagos auto crash
At least seven people escaped death in a multi-vehicle collision that occurred along the Sabo-Itokin Expressway in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State on Thursday.
PUNCH Metro learnt in a statement by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, that the accident occurred when a reckless driver rammed into two commercial vehicles along the road.
According to Taofiq, an unidentified driver, riding a Lexus Jeep with registration number KSF 879 JR, had attempted a dangerous manoeuvre, leading to loss of control.
The Lexus driver was said to have rammed into the commercial vehicles, thereby causing injuries to seven passengers.
He stated, “The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has confirmed a catastrophic multiple-vehicle collision involving two painted commercial buses and a Lexus 330 Jeep (registration number: KSF 879 JR) along Lejina inward Adamo on Sabo-Itokin Express Road, resulting in severe injuries to seven passengers.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the driver of the Lexus Jeep, who absconded immediately after the incident, engaged in a perilous and unlawful overtaking manoeuvre on the highway.
“Upon suddenly encountering an oncoming heavy truck, he attempted a desperate re-entry into his lane but lost control, violently colliding with the two fully-loaded commercial buses.”
The LASTMA spokesperson noted that the injured persons were rescued at the Ikorodu General Hospital while emergency responders, including the police, ensured normalcy was maintained in the area.
Taofiq added, “In an expeditious response, LASTMA personnel, in synergy with security operatives from the Area N Police Division, swiftly secured the accident scene, managed traffic disruptions, and facilitated the full evacuation of the wrecked vehicles to restore normalcy.
“All injured passengers were urgently conveyed to the General Hospital in Ikorodu for immediate medical intervention by officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Services.”
Reacting to the incident, the LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed concerns over reckless driving by motorists and urged them to always adhere to traffic rules.
“The government has strategically positioned road signs to guide motorists and ensure orderliness on our highways. Drivers must exercise utmost vigilance and confirm absolute clearance before attempting to overtake, as recklessness on the road can have devastating consequences,” he stated.
The GM expressed sympathy to the injured passengers.
PUNCH Metro reported on February 14 that 14 commuters escaped death in an accident that involved a commercial bus and a private car along the Third Mainland Bridge on Thursday.
According to Taofiq, the accident occurred at the Iyana-Oworonshoki area of the bridge when a commercial bus rammed into a private car.
Taofiq blamed the cause of the accident on excessive speeding by the commercial driver which led to a loss of control and the eventual collision.
