Two dead, two injured in Lagos container truck accident

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has reported a car accident involving two containerised trucks—one loaded and the other empty—at Powerline by Cele Bus Stop, Ita-Oluwo, Ikorodu.

LASTMA disclosed this in a statement from its spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, on Sunday.

LASTMA said the tragic incident, which occurred earlier today, led to the rescue of two individuals trapped in the wreckage, while two others were recovered lifeless.

It stated that all victims were immediately conveyed to the General Hospital, Ikorodu, where the survivors are currently receiving medical care.

“LASTMA’s rapid and coordinated response, in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Fire Service, and personnel from the Nigerian Army’s 174 Battalion, was instrumental in the rescue efforts. LASTMA officials promptly cordoned off the accident site using caution tape to safeguard the public and facilitate the operations of emergency responders,” the statement read.

It also noted that preliminary investigations revealed that the loaded container truck suffered a brake failure while allegedly attempting to evade a revenue collector in pursuit.

He said, “This mechanical failure triggered a catastrophic chain of events, including collisions with other vehicles and damage to nearby buildings.”

The General Manager of LASTMA expressed profound condolences to the families of the deceased and lauded the heroic efforts of the rescue teams.

He further extended his best wishes for a swift recovery to the injured survivors.

Efforts to clear the accident scene are currently underway, with LASTMA officials working tirelessly to remove the trucks and restore seamless traffic flow in the affected area.

The agency reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to ensuring road safety and urged all road users to exercise caution and adhere strictly to traffic regulations to avert similar incidents in the future.