Six injured as commercial bus overturns on Third Mainland Bridge
At Least Six Injured in Lagos Bus Accident on Third Mainland Bridge
LAGOS — A serious road accident involving a commercial Volkswagen bus resulted in injuries to at least six commuters Tuesday on the Third Mainland Bridge. The incident occurred at the Adekunle corridor, heading toward Iyana-Oworonsoki.
According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the fully loaded commercial bus, with registration number KRD 436 XF, was transporting passengers along with various household items when it experienced a sudden brake failure, causing the driver to lose control. The bus subsequently overturned on the busy bridge.
LASTMA reported that two adult males and four adult females sustained serious injuries in the crash. One passenger suffered a critical eye injury at the moment of impact.
Operatives from LASTMA, conducting routine traffic surveillance at the time, quickly mobilized to the scene to execute coordinated rescue efforts. “Upon arrival, our officers swiftly extricated the trapped victims from the wreckage and ensured they received urgent medical attention,” LASTMA stated in a press release.
Additionally, Good Samaritans helped transport four of the injured to nearby hospitals, while officers from the Nigeria Police Force’s Adekunle Division took a male victim with multiple fractures to a medical facility for intensive care. Another passenger received treatment on-site from officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) prior to further medical arrangements.
To prevent secondary accidents and restore traffic flow, LASTMA officials promptly cleared the wrecked vehicle from the roadway, easing congestion on the bridge.
In response to the incident, Hon. Sola Giwa, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, expressed his sympathy to the injured passengers and their families, wishing them a swift recovery. Giwa cautioned commercial vehicle operators against overloading and neglecting vehicle maintenance, highlighting that mechanical failures are a significant contributor to road accidents in the state.
“Commercial operators must stop endangering lives through overloading and ensure proper mechanical checks, particularly on braking systems, before embarking on journeys,” he said. Giwa reiterated the Lagos State Government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property on its roads, asserting that negligence would result in strict sanctions.
The accident temporarily disrupted traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge, but normal vehicular movement has since been restored.
