One police officer and a female occupant were killed on Monday when an articulated vehicle loaded with containers ran over a commercial tricycle along Ijora Causeway, inward Ijora 7Up, Lagos.
As seen in the incident, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the event stating that in initial investigations, it was learnt that the 40-foot container lorry truck (registration XP 368 AKD) lost control while attempting a risky maneuver under the Ijora Bridge, crushing the tricycle (registration KJA 364 QN) and killing its passengers.
The body of the police officer was taken to a Yaba morgue by security personnel, while members of the woman passenger’s family were quick to arrive on the scene to carry her dead body away.
Two other victims, including the tricycle rider, were rescued alive but sustained serious fractures in their legs. LASAMBUS evacuated them to Jimsan Hospital, Gaskiya, Ijora, for speedy treatment.
Witnesses indicated that tension mounted as an angry mob attempted to set fire to the truck but were repelled by the Badia, Trinity, and Kirikiri Police Divisions security personnel, dispersing the crowd and creating a safe platform for the emergency workers.
The General Manager, LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, paid deep condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery. He also praised the immediate and coordinated effort of emergency workers and security agencies, which prevented any other loss of life.
Bakare-Oki cautioned operators and truckers to be extremely cautious, especially around bridges and busy intersections, that such negligence could lead to more avoidable tragedies.
