Three persons escaped death by the whiskers yesterday, after their vehicles had a head-on collision near Ajegunle Bus Stop, along Ikorodu Road, Lagos.
Government sources blamed the accident on brake failure, adding that one of the drivers was moving against traffic. Confirming the development, Director, Public Affairs Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, said the injured occupants of the wrecked vehicles were rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
He said: “To ensure free vehicular movement around the scene, operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) swiftly responded to a serious head-on collision between two loaded trucks, rescuing a truck driver with broken legs and two others with serious head injuries.
“Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Response Unit also arrived for the immediate evacuation of the two trucks.” Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, confirmed that the accident occurred at Ajegunle Bus Stop, heading towards Toll Gate, Sango, Lagos.
Giwa stated that the collision involved two loaded trucks transporting bottled Maltina (FKJ 240 XS) and floor tiles.
According to him, immediate investigations revealed that one of the trucks, driving against traffic at high speed, lost control due to brake failure and collided with the oncoming truck fully loaded with floor tiles.
He lamented that despite ongoing government campaigns on driving against oncoming vehicles (one-way) and importance of vehicle maintenance, drivers continued to violate the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.
He urged all truck drivers and private car owners to avoid speeding and check the condition of their vehicles, especially during the rainy season, before driving within and outside the state. Giwa emphasised the importance of safety while driving and expressed his sympathy to those injured in the accident.
