Auto crash claims 10 lives along Lagos-Badagry Expressway

Ten people, whose identities remain unknown, were confirmed dead yesterday following a road traffic collision involving a Toyota Sienna minibus and a parked articulated lorry on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway at Iyana-Iba.

Three others were also injured in the crash.

A source, who said the Sienna passengers were from the eastern part of the country, blamed the accident on the minibus driver’s speeding. The source added that the bus rammed into the wrongly parked lorry, which obstructed most of the expressway.

Confirming the incident in a statement yesterday, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Nosa Okunbor, said the remains of the deceased had been taken to the mortuary, and the seriously injured were responding to treatment in hospital.

He said: ‘On arrival at the scene of the road traffic accident at Abule Osun, inward Iyana Iba, along Lagos-Badagry Expressway, it was discovered that a Toyota Sienna, registration number BDG 342 FS, full of passengers from the eastern part of the country, was involved in a collision with a parked Shacman lorry, registration number unknown.

“Further investigations revealed that the lorry, laden with granite, was parked on the road, blocking about half of the carriageway, and the speeding Sienna crashed into the truck from behind.

“Ten people lost their lives in the tragic incident, while three were injured. The deceased passengers include three adult males, four adult females, two female children and one male child.

“The injured passengers were reportedly rescued and taken to a nearby hospital by officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) before the arrival of the Agency’s LRT at the scene. They include one adult female and two children (male and female).”

“The Sienna was recovered with the aid of the Agency’s Lite Tow Truck and taken to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) station.

“Others involved in the rescue operation include the Agency’s Response Team (LRT), LASAMBUS, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, FRSC, the Police and SEHMU.

“The deceased have been placed in body bags and are awaiting the arrival of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit, SEHMU, for their removal.”