By Peace Udugba
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has successfully rescued a driver and a passenger who were trapped in a commercial bus following a devastating multi-vehicle accident along the Motorway inward Toll-Gate corridor at the Ogudu-Alapere axis of Lagos.
The crash involved a heavily loaded 12-tyre DAF articulated truck and a commercial Volkswagen T4 bus with registration number AA 60 YF.
According to preliminary investigations, the commercial bus somersaulted after a violent collision, leaving the driver and a passenger trapped inside the severely damaged vehicle. The incident also caused a major obstruction along the busy carriageway, resulting in significant traffic disruption.
LASTMA officials, who were on routine traffic surveillance patrol within the corridor, responded swiftly to the emergency and immediately activated rescue and traffic management protocols aimed at saving lives, preventing further accidents and restoring normal traffic flow.
Working alongside other emergency response agencies, the traffic management officers successfully extricated the trapped victims from the wreckage and facilitated their prompt evacuation for medical treatment by officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS).
To ensure the safety of rescue personnel and road users, the accident scene was immediately secured and cordoned off while emergency operations were ongoing.
Personnel of the Ketu Division of the Nigeria Police Force also provided security support during the rescue operation, helping to maintain order and ensure effective crowd control.
Following the rescue exercise, the damaged vehicles were removed from the roadway, while LASTMA officials implemented strategic traffic diversion and control measures to ease congestion and clear the backlog of vehicles caused by the accident.
Commending the officers involved in the operation, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, praised their bravery, professionalism and swift response.
He noted that the successful rescue of the two victims underscores the agency’s commitment to safeguarding lives, promoting public safety and ensuring efficient traffic management across Lagos State.
Bakare-Oki also urged motorists, particularly drivers of articulated vehicles and commercial transport operators, to embrace defensive driving, strictly adhere to traffic regulations and ensure their vehicles are in good mechanical condition before embarking on any journey.
He emphasized that road safety is a shared responsibility and called on all road users to remain vigilant, patient and disciplined while using highways and other major roads across the state.
