It was a black Sunday in Lagos State as a 40-feet container fell off from a truck on top of a commercial bus, popularly called ‘Korope’, crushing nine passengers to death.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened around the Fire Service Station, Ojuelegba area of Lagos State.
The identity of the the victims was yet to be disclosed by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, who raced to the scene on rescue mission.
The cause of the accident could not immediately be ascertained but sources said the container on the truck may have fallen off while the driver was trying to maneuver his way and crushed the commercial bus.
An eye witness said that the accident occurred around 12.45pm between the truck carrying the 40-feet container and the commercial bus marked KTU 921 YG.
The Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the figure adding that LASTMA operatives and other rescue workers were on ground after the tragedy stressing that one of accident victims, who was trapped in the “Korope”, was rescued and rushed to the hospital for prompt medical attention.
The other victims, who could not make it, had been evacuated and deposited in the public mortuary for autopsy.
He said, “The only passenger rescued by LASTMA personnel was handed over to medical personnel (Emergency Responder) who came to the accident scene along with LASTMA officials. Other emergency responders at the scene include the Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and Federal Road Safety, among others”.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, has warned motorists, particularly commercial bus drivers to always be very careful while driving alongside trucks either on top of a bridge or on an expressway across the State.
He condoled with the families of those passengers that died during the accident.