Seventeen passengers narrowly escaped death on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos, yesterday after the driver of a white Mazda commercial bus suffered a seizure while behind the wheel.

The yet-to-be-identified driver was reportedly travelling at high speed from the Ajah area when he suddenly had the seizure, causing the vehicle to veer dangerously towards the lagoon.

A quick-thinking passenger took control of the steering wheel and safely brought the vehicle under control, preventing what could have been a fatal accident.

The incident recalled a similar tragedy on March 16, 2024, when a commercial bus driver conveying students of the University of Ilorin slumped and died behind the wheel. On that occasion, a student grabbed the steering wheel and safely brought the bus to a stop, saving the passengers.

One of the passengers involved in yesterday’s incident said: “Thank God. It would have been a case of ‘rest in peace.’ I was just going out to earn my daily bread when the driver suddenly developed a seizure while driving.”

The Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the incident.

“The driver was immediately revived, while one of the passengers drove the bus to a safe location after crossing the bridge,” he said.

Meanwhile, LASTMA has introduced a toll-free emergency short code, 3367, to strengthen emergency response, improve traffic management and promote public accountability.

Taofiq said the new platform, available to subscribers on the MTN, Glo and 9mobile networks, replaces the agency’s previous service code with a more accessible communication channel.

Motorists and residents can use the hotline to report road traffic crashes, broken-down vehicles, stranded fuel tankers, disabled articulated vehicles and other traffic emergencies requiring immediate attention.

The platform also enables members of the public to report the conduct and professionalism of LASTMA officials, promoting transparency and accountability.

To ensure wider accessibility, callers can communicate in English, Yoruba or Pidgin English.

LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the initiative as another major step towards building a safer, more responsive and technology-driven transport system in Lagos.

He assured residents that all reports received through the platform would be treated professionally and promptly forwarded to the relevant operational units for immediate action.

Bakare-Oki urged motorists and residents to make effective use of the hotline to improve road safety, accountability and traffic management across Lagos State.