By Peace Udugba
Four people, including a commercial bus driver, have died, while 13 passengers sustained critical injuries following a collision involving a truck and a commercial bus on Alaro City Bridge, inward T-Junction, Epe, Lagos State.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), which confirmed the incident, said the accident occurred on Thursday when a truck rammed into a fully loaded commercial bus while both vehicles were travelling on the single-lane bridge.
Preliminary reports indicated that the impact left several victims trapped in the wreckage of the vehicles, requiring emergency rescue operations.
The four victims, including the commercial bus driver, reportedly died at the scene, while 13 other passengers sustained critical injuries.
The truck driver also suffered severe injuries, including the loss of both legs, which became trapped in the wreckage.
LASTMA operatives, working alongside personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), evacuated the bodies of the deceased to the mortuary, while the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) transported the injured passengers to the nearest medical facility for urgent treatment.
Security personnel from the Epe Police Division also provided security support during the rescue and emergency operations.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured victims a speedy recovery.
He called on motorists to exercise caution and comply with traffic regulations, particularly when navigating bridges, narrow roads and other traffic-constrained areas.
Bakare-Oki stressed the need for responsible driving, warning that reckless manoeuvres and failure to observe road safety rules could result in devastating consequences.
Meanwhile, LASTMA personnel deployed to the affected corridor implemented traffic management measures to ease congestion and restore normal vehicular movement.
The authority reaffirmed its commitment to road safety, the protection of lives and effective collaboration with other emergency response agencies.
It urged motorists to maintain safe following distances, observe prescribed speed limits and avoid dangerous driving, particularly on bridges and narrow carriageways.
