By Dipo Awojobi – A heavy duty truck conveying 40-feet container lost control and crushed a commercial bus killing three persons and injuring two others at Alakija area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Wednesday.
Seven commercial motorcycles (Okadas) were also involved in the accident.
According to the General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Michael Akindele, the Agency received a distress call on Wednesday regarding an accident at Alakija which occurred at about 8 a.m.
He said investigation conducted by the agency’s Emergency Response Team, ERT, at the scene of the incident revealed that a trailer with 40ft container with registration number, KRD 526 XP lost its brake and ran into a commercial mini-bus with registration number, Epe 972 XH, thereafter fell on okada riders at the bus stop.
“The agency’s Emergency Response Team at Cappa in conjunction with the Lagos State Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, LASEMA officials, FRSC, LASAMBUS and officials of the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company, CCECC were involved in the recovery operation.
“The commercial mini-van and seven commercial motorcycles (Okada) were badly damaged as a result of the accident. Five persons were involved in the accident. This comprises three dead male adults while two persons sustained severe injuries and had been taken to the hospital for treatment,” he said.
Akindele added that the Eko Distribution Company was quickly alerted to switch off the power supply in order to prevent any form of electrocution as the tanker also damaged some of the company’s poles.
He said the agency’s heavy duty equipment and other heavy duty equipment from the CCECC were used for the recovery process.
Akindele advised trailers owners and drivers to ensure proper checks and road-worthiness of their trucks and also drive within the approved speed limits.
He also advised okada riders to adhere to the traffic law of the State in order to avoid loss of lives and properties such as this.
Akindele said the police would conduct further investigation into the incident.
