Two dispatch riders lost their lives in a fatal crash involving two heavily loaded Mack trucks on the Eko Bridge in Lagos on Sunday.
According to Adebayo Taofiq, Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department at the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), preliminary investigations revealed that one of the truck drivers, allegedly speeding and dozing off, lost control of his vehicle. The truck veered into another moving truck ahead, resulting in a violent collision.
The impact dislodged a 20-foot container from one of the trucks, which tragically crushed the two dispatch riders who happened to be on the route at the time. Both victims were confirmed dead on the spot.
LASTMA officers, who were monitoring traffic nearby, responded swiftly and rescued one truck driver who sustained severe injuries. He was immediately taken to a hospital by a Lagos State Government ambulance for urgent treatment. The other two truck drivers reportedly fled the scene.
To prevent further accidents and ensure the safety of motorists, LASTMA cordoned off the affected section of the bridge and redirected traffic through Coastain Roundabout toward Alaka and the stadium axis.
LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, extended condolences to the families of the victims and stressed the need for responsible driving, especially among operators of articulated vehicles. He urged drivers to remain alert and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before setting out.
He also highlighted the agency’s continuous public awareness efforts aimed at promoting road safety, particularly among heavy-duty vehicle drivers.
An investigation is underway to identify and apprehend the fleeing truck drivers. Emergency responders at the scene included the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU), and officers from the Iporin Police Division.
