One killed, two injured in Lagos multi-vehicle accident
A tricycle operator was killed and two others injured in a multiple-vehicle crash that occurred on Wednesday at Ekoro Junction inward Ile-Iwe, Lagos State.
According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, the collision involved a six-tyre trailer, a Honda Pilot, a Toyota Camry, and an unregistered tricycle.
The LASTMA Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, in a statement on X on Wednesday, disclosed that the crash occurred after the trailer, which was fully loaded, suffered a brake failure and lost control, crushing the tricycle before colliding with the other vehicles.
“Preliminary investigations by security operatives revealed that the calamity was triggered by a mechanical brake failure in the fully loaded trailer, whose driver consequently lost operational control of the vehicle.
“The trailer, in its uncontrollable descent, crushed the tricycle beyond recognition, before colliding with a Honda Pilot and eventually vaulting over the median to smash into a Toyota Camry and adjacent property on the opposing lane,” the statement read.
Taofiq said LASTMA personnel arrived swiftly at the scene, rescuing two trapped victims while confirming the tricycle operator was dead on the spot.
“They promptly rescued two severely trapped victims after confirming the instantaneous death of the tricycle operator. The accident scene was immediately cordoned off to forestall secondary incidents and facilitate a seamless emergency operation.
“Upon securing the area, LASTMA personnel swiftly notified relevant emergency agencies, including operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SHEMU).
“Thereafter, security officers from the Ile-Epo Police Division conveyed the deceased tricycle operator, alongside the two critically injured survivors, to the General Hospital, Ile-Epo, for urgent medical attention and proper procedural documentation,” the statement added.
During rescue operations, traffic was diverted through Iyana-Meran and Ajasa Command to ease congestion, while the damaged vehicles were later towed to the police station for further investigation.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the incident as tragic and preventable, attributing it to poor vehicle maintenance and disregard for speed regulations.
He extended condolences to the family of the deceased and urged heavy-duty vehicle operators to conduct regular mechanical checks to prevent similar tragedies.
