In a tragic incident today, a fully loaded 40ft Mack articulated truck lost control due to brake failure and toppled onto a moving Nissan car, instantly claiming the life of a woman at the rear of the vehicle. The harrowing event unfolded near the N.N.P.C Estate in Alapere, Ogudu, along the bustling Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The victim, whose identity has yet to be disclosed, met a fatal end when the immense weight of the falling container crushed the vehicle (bearing license plate ABJ 692 BG) she was traveling in. Miraculously, the driver of the Nissan car emerged from the wreckage unscathed, thanks to the timely intervention and support of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials who swiftly responded to the scene.
According to Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, the Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, the driver of the Mack truck, along with his assistant (motor-boy), fled the scene immediately after the catastrophic accident.
Eye-witnesses recounted the horrifying moment when the out-of-control truck careened into the busy road, unable to halt its momentum due to brake failure. The collision was devastating, underscoring the dangers posed by speeding and poorly maintained vehicles on Lagos’ congested highways.
LASTMA Zone 2’s Alabi Olukayode revealed that the deceased’s body was handed over to officers from the Alapere Police Station following the tragic incident. The rescue efforts were a collaborative endeavor involving various emergency response teams, including the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and law enforcement.
Among the officials present at the site were Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, the General Manager of LASTMA, and Mr. Hakeem Adeosun, the Director of Traffic Incidents, Event Monitoring, Enforcement, and Compliance, accompanied by the diligent LASTMA rescue team.
In the wake of this devastating event, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki issued a stern cautionary advisory to the public, particularly truck drivers, emphasizing the critical need to refrain from speeding and ensure the thorough maintenance of vehicles, especially the braking systems, before embarking on journeys within or outside the state.