Dare Babalola
A brake failure caused a bus to overturn on Lagos’ Third Mainland Bridge, injuring six passengers on Monday.
The incident was confirmed by Adebayo Taofiq, the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
Taofiq quoted Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, to have disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the fully loaded commercial bus was also carrying several household effects as at the time of the incident.
According to him, the vehicle suffered break failure, as a result of which the driver lost control of the vehicle, culminating in the bus capsizing onto its flank.
“Six passengers comprising two adult males and four adult females sustaining serious bodily injuries, while one passenger suffered a critical ocular injury at the instant of impact.
“Personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), who were actively deployed on routine surveillance duties within the affected corridor, responded. Through a well-coordinated emergency response, all six critically injured victims were successfully extricated from the wreckage.
“Four of the injured passengers were moved to an undisclosed medical facility for urgent treatment. Officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Adekunle Division, rendered crucial assistance by conveying one male victim who sustained multiple fractures to a hospital for intensive medical care,” he added.
The statement added that well-meaning Good Samaritans helped the officials in transporting four of the injured passengers to the hospital.
“Additionally, operatives of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) administered immediate on-site medical attention to another injured passenger at the scene of the incident, the statement added.
It continued, “In order to avert secondary accidents and promptly reinstate vehicular flow, LASTMA officials ensured the immediate removal and evacuation of the accident vehicle from the carriageway.”
Giwa extended profound sympathies to the injured passengers and their families, while earnestly wishing them a speedy and full recuperation.
He further utilised the occasion to issue a firm caution to the motoring public particularly commercial transport operators to desist from the perilous practice of vehicle overloading and to accord utmost priority to regular mechanical assessments, with specific emphasis on braking systems prior to embarking on journeys within or beyond the confines of Lagos State.
