2 drown, scores injured in Lagos auto crash

By Albert Akpor
TWO unidentified persons were flung into the Lagos lagoon while several others sustained severe injuries, Wednesday, when a Lagos commercial vehicle lost its front tyres and somersaulted several times on the Third Mainland Bridge.

An eyewitness said the 14- passenger bus, with number plate XW 124 LSR, was coming from Oworoshoki end of the bridge, heading towards Obalende,  Lagos Island when its two front tyres burst. It then somersaulted several times before ramming into the median, which brought it to a halt. However, two occupants of the vehicle were flung into the lagoon.

The mid-morning accident caused untold traffic jam on the bridge before men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, arrived the scene and commenced evacuation of the injured persons to the hospital.  The vehicle was equally towed off the road to pave way for free flow of traffic.

Fishing for bodies

Vanguard was told that  men of the Police Marine Department arrived the scene but could only fish out one male body. Frantic efforts at getting the other occupant was not successful at press time, as local divers and officers attached to the Marine Division were still in the lagoon searching for the  body.

Police report

Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, who confirmed the tragedy, said investigation had already begun. He said, “the vehicle did not fall into the lagoon as widely rumoured. When it lost its tyres, it somersaulted severally and came to a halt. But in the process,  two out of the 14 passengers  were flung into the lagoon.  Men of the Marine Police, assisted by fishermen, were able to recover one male dead body. Search for the second body is on.

“The vehicle has been recovered from the scene by security operatives while men of Yaba Police Station have since commenced investigation. Normal traffic has been restored. Once again, road users are advised to exercise care and diligence while on the highway,” he said.