A tragic accident on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos has left one person dead and four others injured. The crash, which occurred on Monday, December 16, 2024, involved a Ford J5 bus and a Mercedes truck.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the accident and rescue operations. According to LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, the collision occurred at Ilubirin, heading inward Sura, along the bridge.
Bakare-Oki was among the first responders to arrive at the scene. He led LASTMA officials, with the help of local bystanders, in rescuing the victims trapped inside the wreckage.
“Four victims were rescued from the wreckage, three of whom survived, while one person tragically lost their life,” Bakare-Oki said in a statement. The deceased was inside the Ford bus, which was carrying pepper and other perishable goods. The person succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the accident occurred due to brake failure in the Ford bus. The vehicle, which was traveling at high speed, lost control and collided with the Mercedes truck.
“This was a case of brake failure, which led to a high-speed crash with the truck,” explained Bakare-Oki. “The Ford bus was fully loaded with goods, and the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing the collision.”
The collision left the road littered with debris, including spilled goods from the Ford bus. The emergency response teams, which included personnel from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigerian Police, quickly arrived to assist in the rescue efforts.
The rescue operation was a race against time. LASTMA worked closely with other agencies to clear the wreckage and free the trapped victims. Emergency workers, including paramedics from LASAMBUS, attended to the injured.
“The survivors were rushed to the General Hospital on Lagos Island for medical care,” Bakare-Oki added. “We are hopeful that they will recover from their injuries with proper treatment.”
In addition to medical assistance, LASTMA teams worked to clear the scene. The wreckage was removed, and the spilled goods were cleared from the bridge to ensure traffic could resume.
Following the incident, Bakare-Oki expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and emphasised the importance of road safety, particularly during the busy holiday season.
“This is a tragic reminder of how important it is to stay cautious on our roads,” he said. “Drivers, especially those operating heavy-duty vehicles, must ensure their vehicles are in proper working condition. Speeding and poor maintenance can have deadly consequences.”
He also urged road users to avoid distractions and practice defensive driving. “We all have a role to play in preventing accidents,” he said. “It’s vital to follow traffic rules and check your vehicle before embarking on any journey.”
In his statement, Bakare-Oki reaffirmed LASTMA’s dedication to improving road safety and reducing accidents. He stressed that the agency would continue collaborating with relevant authorities to ensure that roads in Lagos remain as safe as possible.
“LASTMA will continue to work with other agencies to ensure that our roads are safer and to prevent avoidable accidents,” he said. “We are committed to doing everything we can to protect the lives of Lagosians.”
The accident caused significant disruption to traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge, one of the busiest routes in Lagos. As emergency services worked to clear the scene, traffic was temporarily halted, leading to long delays for commuters.
By the time the wreckage was cleared, traffic had started to ease. However, the incident highlighted the risks faced by drivers on one of the city’s most vital roads.
