The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Sunday rescued a driver and a passenger trapped in a commercial bus following a serious multi-vehicle accident along the Motorway inward Toll-Gate corridor at the Ogudu-Alapere area of Lagos.

According to LASTMA, the crash involved a heavily loaded 12-tyre DAF articulated truck and a commercial Volkswagen T4 bus with registration number AA 60 YF.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the commercial bus somersaulted after a violent collision, leaving its driver and a passenger trapped inside the severely damaged vehicle. The accident also caused a major obstruction on the busy highway.

LASTMA officials, who were on routine patrol within the corridor, reportedly responded swiftly and activated emergency rescue procedures to save the victims, prevent further accidents and restore traffic flow.

The agency said its operatives, working alongside other emergency responders, successfully extricated the trapped occupants from the wreckage before officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) evacuated them for urgent medical treatment.

The accident scene was immediately secured to ensure the safety of rescue workers and other motorists, while officers of the Ketu Division of the Nigeria Police Force provided security and crowd control during the operation.

To ease the traffic gridlock caused by the incident, damaged vehicles were removed from the roadway and traffic officers implemented diversion measures to improve vehicular movement along the axis.

Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commended the agency’s officers for their prompt response and professionalism.

He said the successful rescue of the two victims underscored LASTMA’s commitment to safeguarding lives, enhancing public safety and ensuring efficient traffic management across the state.

Bakare-Oki also urged motorists, particularly operators of articulated trucks and commercial vehicles, to adhere strictly to traffic regulations, drive defensively and ensure their vehicles are mechanically fit before embarking on journeys.

He stressed that road safety remains a shared responsibility and called on all road users to remain vigilant, patient and disciplined while using Lagos roads.