M-I-R-A-C-L-E: Vehicle plunges into Lagos lagoon, lone occupant survives

By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsur Olowoopejo

A Toyota Sienna bus, Saturday, skidded off the Third Mainland Bridge and plunged  into the lagoon.

The accident, which happened around 11 a.m., shortly after the monthly environmental exercise, resulted into heavy traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge and environs, before men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, the police and other emergency agencies moved in.

It took the intervention of local divers to rescue the only victim, identified as Shola Oladimeji.

He was later taken to hospital for medical attention.

Rescue operation on the Lagoon.

According to an  eyewitness account, the vehicle was on high speed when it skidded off the bridge and plunged into the lagoon.

Secretary-General of Makoko-Iwaya waterfront community, Mr. John Mautin Keke, claimed to have spoken to the victim, driver of the vehicle, after he was rescued, gave his name as Shola Oladimeji.

Keke, who led the rescue team, explained:”We heard a loud sound and all we saw was a Toyota Sienna bus, enroute Oworonshoki, axis,  plunging into the lagoon at about 11:15 a.m. Moments later we saw a man waving his hands for rescue. ”At this time, we were concluding the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

”Immediately, our men, led by me and other baales, rushed with our boats to the scene to rescue him.

”After we rescued him, we took to him to the nearest health centre to give him first aid. Few minutes after he regained consciousness, I personally interviewed him to get his personal data. And he disclosed his name; his wife phone number and where he works.

”The man said he works in Goshen Estate, Lekki Phase 1 and he resides at Oyemekun Str, Beckley Estate, Abule Egba.”