On Monday, a tragic head-on collision between two Mazda commercial buses, with registration numbers LND 624 YE and EKY 804 YH, occurred on the Third Mainland Bridge near Ilaje, en route to Iyana-Oworonsoki. The accident resulted in one fatality and eight individuals sustaining various injuries.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) quickly intervened, facilitating the rapid rescue of the eight passengers, who all suffered severe fractures. The injured were transported to Gbagada General Hospital by the Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS) for immediate medical attention.
Police units from Bariga and Alonge Police Stations provided critical security support during the rescue operation, helping to restore order and expedite efforts to return normalcy to the area.
Initial investigations indicate that the accident was caused by mechanical failure, specifically brake failure, and overspeeding, which led to a loss of control and a subsequent collision between the two buses. The driver of one of the buses was confirmed dead.
Olalekan Bakare-Oki, General Manager of LASTMA, emphasized the agency’s dedication to road safety and urged motorists to adhere to speed regulations and exercise caution. He described the incident as a grim reminder of the dangers of reckless driving and extended condolences to the bereaved family while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
In a related incident, a Honda CRV with registration number AKD 743 HV overturned on the Third Mainland Bridge near the UNILAG waterfront, also inbound to Iyana-Oworonsoki. This crash, caused by excessive speeding, fortunately resulted in no casualties.