Tragedy struck on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos, on Saturday as a newly wedded couple returning from the Ikoyi Marriage Registry and 16 other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries in a multi-vehicle collision.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the incident, attributing it to brake failure on a speeding LT commercial bus, which subsequently collided with a mini truck experiencing mechanical difficulties.
According to Taofiq, the vehicles involved were identified as a mini truck with registration number **AGL 22 YE** and a commercial LT bus with registration number **BFG 204 XF**. The impact left passengers with injuries, including fractured limbs, while two victims were trapped in the wreckage.
The newlyweds, alongside 16 other passengers, were rescued and rushed to the Lagos State Trauma and Emergency Centre near the Toll Gate on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Two critically injured victims were extricated from the bus wreckage through the combined efforts of LASTMA, emergency responders, and concerned bystanders before being transported to Gbagada General Hospital for specialized care.
LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed sympathy for the victims, wishing them a swift recovery. He emphasized the importance of maintaining vehicle safety, particularly the braking system, and adhering to speed limits to avoid such preventable accidents. Bakare-Oki also highlighted LASTMA’s ongoing public enlightenment campaigns, led by the Female Elite Corps, aimed at promoting road safety during the festive season and beyond.
Emergency response units, including LASTMA, LASEMA, LASAMBUS, and the police, worked tirelessly at the scene to manage the aftermath of the crash.
Motorists are urged to remain vigilant, prioritize vehicle maintenance, and observe road safety rules to reduce accidents on Lagos roads.
