A tragic accident on Lagos’ Third Mainland Bridge claimed one life and left five others hospitalized early Monday morning, December 16, 2024. The collision occurred around 6 a.m. at Ilubirin, inward Sura.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident involved a J5 Ford bus (registration number FKJ 724 YC) and a Mercedes truck (registration number FKJ 746 YC). According to reports, the J5 Ford bus, heavily loaded with pepper and other perishable goods, suffered a brake failure while speeding, leading to the crash.
LASTMA officials, assisted by bystanders, responded promptly to the scene. Four victims were pulled from the wreckage, with three surviving the ordeal. Tragically, one person trapped inside the J5 Ford bus succumbed to injuries sustained in the collision.
Emergency response units, including LASTMA, the Lagos Response Unit (LRU), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigerian Police Force, and the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), coordinated efforts to manage the aftermath. The injured were swiftly transported to the Lagos Island General Hospital for urgent medical care.
To restore traffic flow, LASTMA’s rescue team removed the wrecked vehicles and cleared the spilled goods from the roadway.
Expressing condolences to the family of the deceased, LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki highlighted the importance of road safety, especially during the festive season.
“Drivers, particularly those operating heavy-duty vehicles, must avoid excessive speeding and ensure their vehicles, especially braking systems, are in perfect working condition before any journey,” Bakare-Oki stated.
He reaffirmed LASTMA’s dedication to road safety, stressing ongoing collaboration with relevant agencies to prevent avoidable accidents.
Members of the public are encouraged to report traffic incidents, accidents, or breakdowns by calling LASTMA’s toll-free hotline at 0800 005 27862.
