By our Reporter
Four passengers have died while four others sustained serious injuries in a road crash involving a truck and a commercial minibus along the Lekki–Epe Expressway in Lagos State.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday by its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq.
According to the agency, the accident occurred over the weekend opposite Beechwood, Shapati, inward Ajah, along the busy corridor.
LASTMA said the fatal collision involved a HOWO truck with registration number KNN 313 YL and a fully loaded Suzuki commercial minibus, popularly referred to as a “Korope.”
Preliminary findings indicated that the driver of the articulated truck lost control of the vehicle while in motion, veered across the carriageway and rammed into the oncoming commercial minibus conveying passengers.
“The catastrophic impact of the collision resulted in the immediate death of four male passengers, while four other occupants, comprising two males and two females, sustained severe fracture injuries after becoming trapped within the mangled wreckage of the commercial vehicle,” the statement said.
LASTMA officials reportedly mobilised to the scene and extricated the trapped victims from the crushed minibus with the support of other emergency responders and passersby.
The four injured victims were taken to Hamon Royal Hospital for urgent medical treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were evacuated to Shency Hospital Morgue with an ambulance belonging to the Federal Road Safety Corps.
Security operatives from the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Elemoro Police Division maintained order at the scene and provided security during the rescue operation.
The police also assured that an investigation would be conducted into the cause of the accident.
LASTMA added that the driver of the truck and his motor boy fled the scene after the crash.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed grief over the incident and extended condolences to the families of the deceased.
He also prayed for the quick recovery of the injured victims receiving treatment.
Bakare-Oki commended the coordinated efforts of emergency responders whose timely intervention helped rescue the trapped passengers.
He further urged motorists, particularly drivers of articulated vehicles, to exercise caution, obey traffic regulations and adopt responsible driving habits to prevent avoidable road accidents across the state
