Get Guardian on GoogleA passenger was killed and another person injured when a truck conveying assorted goods overturned around TREM Bus Stop, Anthony Oke, Gbagada, inward Oshodi, in the early hours of yesterday.
The accident, involving a Mercedes-Benz six-tyre truck with registration number ABJ 37 AC, occurred at about 2:00 a.m. on November 8, 2026, prompting an emergency response by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).
Preliminary findings by emergency responders indicated that the truck lost control and overturned after its front tyre reportedly burst.
However, LASEMA attributed the incident to reckless driving.
During the accident, an adult male passenger, identified in the LASTMA account as an elderly man, was thrown out of the vehicle and sustained fatal head injuries.
Another occupant, described as a motor boy, was reportedly trapped beneath the overturned truck.
LASEMA’s Eagle Response Team from Cappa was activated at 2:06 a.m. and arrived at the scene 10 minutes later.
The team deployed light rescue equipment to recover the trapped victim, whose body was subsequently handed over to the Lagos State Emergency Medical Services (SEHMU).
Another injured victim received medical attention from officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) at the scene.
LASTMA’s Night Rescue Team also arrived promptly, secured the accident scene and evacuated the deceased from the busy carriageway to prevent further danger to approaching motorists.
The rescue operation received support from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and officers of the Pedro Police Division, while LASTMA personnel deployed traffic cones and warning signals to protect other road users and prevent secondary collisions.
The overturned truck, which was conveying assorted consignments, including sealed bags and newly branded event chairs, could not be immediately removed because of its cargo.
Emergency responders therefore arranged for the goods to be transferred into another truck provided by the owner before the damaged vehicle was recovered.
A private tow truck eventually removed the vehicle from the road and conveyed it to the LASTMA yard in Oshodi.
The operation was completed and normal traffic flow restored.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commiserated with the family of the deceased, describing the incident as a painful and avoidable loss that underscored the consequences of poor road safety practices.
Bakare-Oki warned heavy-duty vehicle operators and other motorists against excessive speeding, noting that it reduces reaction time, compromises vehicle stability and increases the severity of accidents, particularly when mechanical failures occur.
He said the consequences of the crash might have been less severe if the truck had been travelling at a controlled speed, despite the reported tyre burst.
The LASTMA boss urged truck drivers and commercial transport operators, particularly during the ember months, to observe speed limits, conduct regular vehicle inspections and pay close attention to the condition of tyres, braking systems and other critical components before embarking on journeys.
He also advised drivers to remain calm and exercise proper vehicle-control techniques when confronted with sudden mechanical problems, stressing that roadworthiness, speed moderation and compliance with traffic regulations were essential to preventing avoidable deaths.
