A harrowing road traffic accident claimed the lives of two individuals and left three others in critical condition on Wednesday at Iyana Meiran, following a catastrophic mechanical failure involving a heavy-duty industrial vehicle.
The incident, which occurred on the inward stretch of Meiran Road near the Primary Health Centre, involved a Dangote Silo Mixer Truck and a succession of smaller commuter vehicles. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed that the carnage ensued when the truck, reportedly travelling at a high rate of speed, suffered a total failure of its braking system.
Out of control and unable to decelerate, the massive silo mixer plummeted into a commercial mini-bus, locally referred to as a ‘Korope’, before ploughing through four tricycles. The sheer kinetic force of the impact reduced the smaller vehicles to mangled heaps of steel, trapping several commuters within the wreckage.
LASTMA personnel, supported by courageous members of the public, conducted a frantic rescue operation to extricate three survivors who had sustained life-threatening injuries. The corridor was swiftly cordoned off to facilitate emergency access and prevent further secondary collisions.
In accordance with established emergency protocols, the Meiran Police Division was alerted to the scene. While the Divisional Police Officer oversaw security for the recovery efforts, it was noted that the driver of the Silo Mixer Truck had absconded from the site immediately following the crash.
The three survivors were rushed to Mobonke Hospital for urgent clinical intervention. Regrettably, two commuters were pronounced dead at the scene; their remains have been transferred to the custody of the Nigeria Police for formal evacuation.
Reflecting on the tragedy, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, offered his profound condolences to the bereaved families. He used the occasion to issue a rigorous warning to the operators of articulated vehicles.
“Mechanical negligence and a flagrant disregard for speed regulations remain the primary, avoidable catalysts for these fatal crashes,” Mr Bakare-Oki stated. He insisted that all heavy-duty operators must certify the roadworthiness of their braking systems before embarking on any journey through the metropolis.
The Authority has reiterated its appeal to all road users to prioritise safety and strictly adhere to traffic ordinances, as the hunt for the fugitive truck driver continues.
