At least four passengers have lost their lives after a truck crashed into a mini-commercial bus along the Lekki–Epe expressway in Lagos.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the accident occurred “over the weekend” opposite Beechwood in Shapati, inward Ajah.
In a statement issued by Adebayo Taofiq, spokesperson of the agency, the traffic agency said the crash involved a HOWO truck with registration number KNN 313 YL and a Suzuki commercial mini bus popularly known as ‘korope’.
According to the agency, preliminary findings indicated that the driver of the truck lost control of the vehicle which then veered across the road, crashing into the oncoming commercial bus conveying passengers.
LASTMA said the impact of the collision killed four male passengers instantly, while four other occupants — two males and two females — sustained severe injuries after getting trapped in the wreckage.
The agency said its personnel arrived at the scene promptly and rescued the injured victims from the mangled vehicle with the support of other emergency responders and passersby.
The injured passengers were taken to Hamon Royal Hospital for medical treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Shency Hospital morgue by an ambulance belonging to the Federal Road Safety Corps.
Officers of the Nigeria police force attached to the Elemoro police division also secured the accident scene and managed traffic during the rescue operation.
LASTMA added that the driver of the truck and his motorboy fled the scene after the crash.
Olalekan Bakare-Oki, general manager of LASTMA, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured speedy recovery.
He also urged motorists, particularly drivers of articulated vehicles, to adhere to traffic safety regulations and exercise caution to prevent road accidents.
