By Jelili Gbadamosi
A mechanical failure on a containerised truck triggered a multiple-vehicle crash on Otedola Bridge, inward Berger, Lagos, on Wednesday, with emergency responders rescuing all affected victims.
The accident, which occurred in the afternoon, involved five vehicles, including two trucks, a trailer, a white Honda car and a Lexus.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, said its LRT Tiger Squad stationed at C3 was mobilised at about 1:18 p.m. following a distress call and arrived at the scene approximately 10 minutes later.
The vehicles involved were a truck conveying a generator, a containerised truck with registration number ENU 135ZG, a loaded trailer with an unknown registration number, a white Honda with registration number LSR 870BF and a Lexus with registration number KTU 682HX.
Preliminary findings by responders indicated that the containerised truck developed a mechanical fault while in motion, causing its driver to lose control and crash into three other vehicles.
Another truck subsequently rammed into the vehicles, worsening the collision and leaving the affected vehicles in a pile-up.
LASEMA said it took control of the emergency operation and worked with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, and the Nigeria Police Force to secure the scene and prevent further accidents.
Paramedics treated the affected victims at the scene before evacuating them to the Trauma Centre for further medical attention.
No death was recorded in the crash, according to LASEMA.
Recovery operations were ongoing as of the time of the agency’s update, with private towing vehicles and a crane deployed to remove the damaged vehicles and restore normal traffic flow on the bridge.
The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, commended the responding agencies for their prompt intervention.
He urged motorists, especially operators of heavy-duty and articulated vehicles, to prioritise regular vehicle maintenance, obey road safety regulations and exercise caution on major highways.
LASEMA also advised residents to report emergencies through the toll-free 767 or 112 emergency lines.
