2 feared dead in fresh Lagos multiple auto crash

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

LAGOS—At least two unidentified persons lost their lives in a fatal multiple accident that occurred again on Otedola Link Bridge, along Lagos Ibadan Expressway when an articulated tanker vehicle carrying 33,000 litres of petrol reportedly lost control hitting four other vehicles.

According to eyewitnesses, the accident happened at about 5.30 pm and resulted into a gridlock on the expressway as travellers got stuck on the road.

It was gathered that men of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA; Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, LASEMA; fire fighters, among other rescue teams arrived the scene but were unable to retrieved the body of one of the  male unidentified persons from one of the four vehicles that reportedly fell into a nearby ditch when the tanker with combustible content overturned, spilling its content on the road.

At press time, rescue operation was still ongoing as no fewer than 10 people were said to still be trapped in the vehicles.

The LASEMA team were seen erecting illuminating devices to allow for better vision for the retrieval of the trapped victims. A crane was also brought in to lift the vehicles.

According to the Lagos Sector Commander for the Federal Road Safety Commission, Charles Akpabio; “There was a multiple road traffic crash  on Otedola bridge yesterday.

“The make and number-plates of vehicles involved are; Skoda saloon car – FKJ 167 AX; Land Rover SUV- AH 723 SMK; Volvo truck- KSF 806 XC; a tanker laden with 33,000litres of petrol- XB 166 NGL. There was another vehicle in the ditch which number could not be ascertained immediately.

“ I have ordered  diversion of traffic to Ibadan- Lagos side of the road with FRSC patrol teams  deployed to the scene of crash and  Nigeria Police teams also involved in joint rescue operation.”

According to the head of operations, FRSC, Mr. Irele Wuyi, “for now, we can confirm that two persons died but more may be confirmed dead or alive later.

“The accident happened when the brake of the petrol tanker failed, making it to collide with the other five vehicles on the road.

“Since the incident occurred, we have removed some of the vehicles, but one of the vehicles whose number-plate cannot be ascertained for now is still trapped.”