Four people, including a commercial bus driver, died yesterday, while 16 others were injured after an articulated truck carrying a 20-foot container overturned and fell on a passenger bus on Alaro City Bridge along the Ibeju-Lekki-Epe corridor of Lagos State.

The accident occurred as the truck and a fully loaded Toyota Hiace bus were crossing the bridge towards the T-junction in Epe, leaving several occupants trapped in the wreckage.

Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), in separate statements, confirmed the fatalities and the rescue operation.

While LASEMA reported that 16 adult males sustained injuries, LASTMA said 13 passengers were critically injured. The discrepancy in the figures could not immediately be reconciled.

However, preliminary findings indicated that the truck driver lost control while attempting to avoid a collision as both vehicles negotiated the narrowed single-lane bridge.

The truck subsequently overturned and fell on the bus, crushing it and trapping several occupants in the mangled wreckage.

The truck driver also sustained severe injuries, with both legs reportedly severed and trapped in the wreckage.

Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, said the agency’s response team worked with personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to control traffic at the scene, administer first aid and evacuate the injured.

According to LASEMA, the injured victims were taken to Epe General Hospital for treatment, while LASTMA said the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) conveyed 13 critically injured passengers to a medical facility for urgent attention.

The four deceased victims were evacuated to a mortuary, while police officers from the Epe Division provided security during the rescue operation.

A private crane was also secured to lift the overturned truck and container to facilitate the recovery of trapped victims and clear the wreckage. LASEMA said the operation was ongoing as of its latest update.

The crash caused significant traffic disruption along the corridor, prompting LASTMA and other emergency responders to introduce traffic management measures to ease congestion and regulate vehicular movement.

General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery. He urged motorists to observe speed limits, obey traffic regulations and exercise caution when navigating bridges, narrow carriageways and other road bottlenecks, where dangerous manoeuvres could lead to fatal crashes.

In a separate incident at about 4:09 a.m., LASEMA’s Tiger Team from its C3 Base responded to a truck crash near Vetland School, inward Agege Pen Cinema, along Old Abeokuta Road.

The truck, with registration number KTU-940XT, reportedly rammed into a solar-powered streetlight pole before mounting the road median and obstructing traffic.

Preliminary findings attributed the crash to reckless driving.

No casualties were recorded, but the collision damaged the streetlight pole and the front section of the truck, disrupting traffic along the route.

LASEMA introduced traffic diversion measures to prevent secondary accidents and ease congestion before deploying its heavy-duty recovery equipment to remove the truck.  The vehicle was subsequently taken to Abattoir Police Station for investigation and safekeeping, while the road was cleared and reopened to traffic.

In another truck-related incident, a DAF truck collided with a Toyota Corolla at Lanre Bus Stop, inward Igando, along LASU-Igando Road.

The DAF truck, with registration number SMK 795 XY, reportedly collided with the car, registered as AKD 169 EA, after traffic built up around a broken-down truck on the opposite side of the road.

Information gathered at the scene indicated that the DAF truck was travelling against traffic when the collision occurred. The Corolla driver sustained a minor head injury and was taken to Igando General Hospital by an associate. The car was later towed to Igando Police Station.

LASEMA said it had deployed its heavy-duty recovery equipment to move the DAF truck to a lay-by and restore normal traffic flow. The operation was ongoing as of the agency’s latest update.

The Lagos State Government expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the bridge crash and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Emergency agencies urged motorists to obey speed limits, avoid driving against traffic and making reckless manoeuvres, maintain safe following distances and ensure their vehicles were mechanically sound before embarking on journeys.

Residents were also advised to report emergencies through the toll-free numbers, 767 and 112.