LASTMA official, three others injured in Lagos multiple crashes
An official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and three other yet-to-be-identified persons sustained varying degrees of injuries in an accident that occurred in the Ajah area of the state on Wednesday.
This was contained in a statement made available to PUNCH Metro by the LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, on Wednesday.
Taofiq noted that the accident occurred when a truck that had developed a mechanical fault rammed into a stationed armoured vehicle. The impact of the collision was said to have caused the armoured vehicle to further collide with a minibus.
The collision was also reported to have led to four persons sustaining injuries among which were the LASTMA officials and three others.
He said, “The incident involved a tipper truck, a Rapid Response Squad armoured tank, and a Suzuki mini bus (JJJ 257 YJ).
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the tipper truck experienced brake failure while attempting to make a turn under the Ajah Bridge. This failure led to a collision with the RRS armoured tank stationed nearby, which in turn caused the tank to lurch forward, striking the Suzuki minibus.
“As a result of the collision, four individuals sustained serious injuries, including a LASTMA officer on duty at the scene who suffered a broken arm.”
“Following the collision, Taofiq added that emergency responders were deployed to the scene of the incident, and the victims were rescued at a nearby hospital for treatment.
“The four injured individuals were immediately transported to the nearest hospital for urgent medical care, where they are currently receiving treatment.”
Reacting to the incident, the LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-OKi, noted that an investigation would be conducted on the incident to determine the cause of the mechanical issue.
He urged motorists in the state to always ensure that their vehicles are in good condition before embarking on road journeys.
Speaking through Taofiq, Bakare-Oki said, “We urge all road users, especially drivers of heavy-duty vehicles, to prioritise vehicle maintenance and adhere strictly to traffic regulations to prevent such accidents. The relevant authorities will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the brake failure and take appropriate action.
“The public, particularly motorists, is urged to cooperate with traffic authorities as efforts are made to restore normal traffic flow.”
PUNCH Metro reported on August 27 that a driver, transporting gas in a tanker, sustained injuries when his vehicle overturned along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway on Wednesday.
The driver whose identity was unknown, was reported to have been receiving treatment in a medical facility in the state.
Taofiq added that the swift intervention of LASTMA personnel, in conjunction with the efforts of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, averted a potential disaster resulting from the incident.
