A tragic road crash in the early hours of Sunday has claimed the lives of eight passengers, including the driver and conductor of a commercial bus, following a collision between a 16-seater Mazda bus and a DAF truck at Atura Bus Stop, on the inbound route to Badagry, Lagos State.
The incident was confirmed in a statement by the General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki.
The crash involved a Mazda bus with registration number KJA 811 YF and a DAF truck bearing plate number T1 4636 LA. According to Bakare-Oki, the collision occurred when the bus, reportedly moving at high speed, lost control and crashed into the truck, resulting in the instant death of eight people.
Among the deceased were the bus driver, his conductor, and six passengers. Eight other occupants sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to the Badagry General Hospital for urgent medical attention. Their evacuation was carried out by personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
The rescue operation was a coordinated effort involving LASTMA operatives, the FRSC, the Nigeria Police Force (Morogbo Division), and the 244 Battalion of the Nigerian Army (Ibereko Barracks).
“This heart-wrenching incident is a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the urgent need for all road users to embrace caution. No journey should end in such tragedy,” said Mr. Bakare-Oki, who visited the scene personally.
He offered condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a swift recovery. The LASTMA boss also urged commercial drivers and heavy-duty vehicle operators to avoid reckless driving, adhere to traffic safety protocols, and maintain their vehicles regularly.
In response to the recurring road tragedies, Bakare-Oki stressed the importance of implementing speed-limiting devices at strategic points across Lagos to reduce accidents, enhance commuter safety, and promote responsible road usage.
Source: http://thepressradio.com
