By Ranmilowo Ojalumo -Tragedy struck Wednesday afternoon in Meiran Area of Lagos, as Dangote mixer truck crushed four vehicles at Iyana Meiran, Lagos State
According to spokesperson of the the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, the accident occured at Iyana Meiran, inward Meiran Road, by the Primary Health Centre (PHC), Meiran, Lagos,
The accident resulted in the instantaneous death of two persons and the critical injury of three others.
According to Taofiq, preliminary security findings revealed that the tragic occurrence was triggered by a Dangote Silo Mixer Truck on high speed, suffered a sudden brake failure and consequently lost control.
“The runaway truck forcefully rammed into a commercial mini-bus, popularly referred to as Korope (EPP 541 YF) as well as four tricycles (Marwa) KTU 360 QN, LND 444 QL, LSR 444 QN, and EKY 122 QP. The violent impact culminated in extensive destruction, trapping commuters amid mangled vehicles and twisted wreckage”, Taofiq said in a statement.
Meanwhile, LASTMA’s personnel swiftly mobilised to the accident scene and with the invaluable assistance of public-spirited passersby, successfully rescued and evacuated three severely injured victims who were trapped within the crushed vehicles.
To ensure the safety of responders and forestall secondary collisions, the authority immediately cordoned off the entire corridor and instituted comprehensive traffic control and diversion measures.
However, the driver of the Dangote Silo Mixer Truck escaped from the scene upon realising the gravity of the incident.
All injured victims were conveyed to Mobonke Hospital, Meiran Road, for urgent and intensive medical care while the remains of the two deceased persons were formally handed over to the Nigeria Police.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki expressed deep sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, while wishing the injured victims a speedy and full recovery.
