By Esther Onyegbula
Many people narrowly escaped death when a 20-foot container fell off a truck at Mangoro area of Lagos State, just as No fewer than 18 passengers and other vehicle owners escaped death in a multiple car crash involving three vehicles on Otedola Bridge, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Saturday.
The accident, which occurred around 6 a.m., was caused by a mechanical issue with the truck, while it was navigating a bridge, causing it to roll backward.
Confirming the accident, Okunbor Nosa, Head of the Public Affairs Unit Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, said in a statement that the agency activated the Eagle Team from its heavy-duty equipment hub in Cappa Base after receiving a distress call via the 767/112 Emergency Toll-Free lines at 6:17 a.m.
Nosa said: “Further investigations conducted by the LRT revealed that the immediate cause of the accident was due to mechanical error (failed clutch).
“It resulted in the truck roll-back while navigating the bridge incline, then its fall which subsequently shutdown the bridge road 100%.”
Fortunately, no life was lost. However, the truck driver sustained some injuries and was taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, before the Eagle Response Team arrived at the scene.
Meanwhile, safety measures were implemented to forestall any secondary incidents from being recorded during the operation.
Also, traffic control measures were activated with road diversion conducted by LRT in conjunction with LASTMA and Officers from the Nigerian Police Force to forestall traffic backlog.
In another incident in the state, No fewer than 18 passengers and other vehicle owners escaped death in a multiple car crash involving three vehicles on Otedola Bridge, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Saturday.
The incident, which involved a commercial bus with 12 passengers, a Camry car and other vehicles, according to an eyewitness, occurred at about 11.30 a.m.
According to the eyewitness, Jide Ogedengbe, “A white 18-seater commercial bus, a cream-coloured Toyota Camry and a black Toyota Corolla, were involved in a multiple accident at Otedola Bridge area, inward 7-UP.
“The cream-coloured Camry came to a sudden halt, thereby resulting in the others vehicles behind ramming into each other.”
Permanent Secretary, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyitolu, speaking on the accident, said: “No loss of lives, nor injuries were sustained during the course of the incidence.”
Men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authourity LASTMA, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Nigeria Police, among others rescue team were on ground to ensure swift recovery of the affected vehicles off the road.
The affected vehicles were recovered to the nearest lay-by in the axis to forestall any secondary incidents.
They were later handed over to the LASTMA officials from Ojodu at the incident scene.