By: Olufemi Orunsola 

Two dispatch riders tragically lost their lives on Sunday morning following a crash involving two fully loaded Mack trucks, identified by registration numbers T-10357 LA, and KJA 107 XM. 

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) reports as gathered that the fatal incident which sent ripples of grief and alarm through the Lagos motoring public occurred after following a head-on collision that occurred earlier on Sunday morning along the Eko Bridge inward Alaka corridor.

OTN News further reports that a released by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq has it that preliminary findings suggest that the driver of one of the articulated trucks, reportedly driving at an excessive speed while allegedly dozing off, lost control of the vehicle, making the truck careened into another moving trucks ahead of it, and triggering a violent impact.

The statement further says, "This catastrophic collision led to the dislodgement of a 20-foot container from one of the trucks, which subsequently crushed two unsuspecting dispatch riders who were navigating the route at the time. Both victims were confirmed dead at the scene."

Meanwhile, other eyewitness accounts say that many people are feared dead in that Sunday morning accident.

However, the official statement by LASTMA says "Swift and coordinated response from Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) Officers, who were on routine traffic monitoring duty beneath the Eko Bridge, ensured the immediate rescue of one severely injured truck driver. He was promptly transported to a nearby hospital in a Lagos State Government ambulance for urgent medical attention. 

Furthermore, the the remaining two truck drivers absconded from the scene, presumably out of fear of the grim aftermath.

To forestall further incidents and safeguard other road users, LASTMA personnel immediately cordoned off the affected stretch of the bridge and redirected vehicular traffic through the Coastain Roundabout inward Alaka en route to Stadium.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, in his message of condolence to the bereaved families, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives. 

He reiterated the critical importance of responsible driving, particularly for operators of articulated vehicles. 

He urged all drivers to exercise utmost caution, maintain full alertness, and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before commencing any journey.

Mr. Bakare-Oki further emphasized the Agency’s ongoing, robust public enlightenment campaigns aimed at instilling safety consciousness among drivers, especially those operating heavy-duty vehicles.

As of press time, investigations are currently underway to trace and apprehend the fleeing drivers involved in the fatal crash.

Other emergency responders at the scene of the accident includes: Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LSNSC), State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) and Police man from Iporin Division of the State. 

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