A yet-to-be-identified passenger died after a commercial bus collided with a stationary tipper truck on Majidun, inward Ogolonto, Ikorodu Road, Lagos, early Monday morning.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed on Sunday that the crash involved a Volkswagen commercial bus, registration number EPE 494 XM, and a tipper truck positioned at the roadside for diesel purchase.
A statement released by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq said the ill-fated commercial bus, chartered to convey passengers to a scheduled programme in Ogijo, experienced an abrupt brake failure.
‘The driver, who was reportedly travelling at a perilously excessive speed, consequently lost control and forcefully collided with a tipper truck positioned at the roadside for diesel purchase’, Taofiq disclosed.
He said the impact of the collision was severe as it led to the death of a passenger, leaving six others injured.
‘The brutal impact resulted in the instantaneous death of an adult female passenger, while five female occupants and one male sustained severe and life-threatening injuries’, the statement partly read.
It was stated that all injured victims were immediately taken to Benic Special Hospital, while the body of the deceased was transferred to General Hospital, Ikorodu for formal documentation.
According to the statement, the LASTMA operatives pursued and apprehended the tipper truck driver who attempted to abscond upon witnessing the enormity of the tragedy.
‘The driver of the commercial bus was likewise arrested.
‘Both individuals were thereafter handed over to officers of the Ipakodo Police Division for comprehensive investigation’, the agency confirmed.
The agency also highlighted how the roadway was cleared, saying, ‘To re-establish order and ensure seamless vehicular movement toward Ikorodu Garage, LASTMA personnel efficiently removed the mangled remains of both vehicles from the roadway’.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences and prayers for the victims
‘We convey profound grief over the harrowing incident and extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
‘We pray that Almighty God grants them the fortitude to endure the irreplaceable loss, and we wish the injured victims a swift and full recovery’, the statement concluded.
