At least five people sustained varying degrees of injuries in an accident that occurred on the Ifako Bridge in the Ogudu area of Lagos State on Sunday.
This is just as two cows were killed following a collision with a car in the Iyana-Oworo area of the state on the same day.
PUNCH Metro gathered from a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Adebayo Taofiq, on Sunday, that the first accident involved a minibus with number plate MUS 576 YJ and a commercial Mazda bus.
He stressed that the driver of the Mazda, who was reportedly eating while driving, lost control and collided with the minibus.
Taofiq noted that LASTMA operatives rescued five injured persons, including one male and four females, and transported them to the state Accident and Emergency Centre along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
He said, “At approximately 10:30 a.m. today, a regrettable accident occurred on the Ifako Bridge, en route to the Ogudu area of Lagos. The incident involved an unpainted commercial Mazda bus (MUS 576 YJ) and a Korope mini-bus.
“Preliminary investigations reveal that the driver of the Mazda bus, distracted by eating while driving, lost concentration and subsequently lost control of the vehicle. This lapse in focus was exacerbated by a sudden brake failure, resulting in the unfortunate collision.
“Officers from LASTMA responded swiftly, rescuing five injured individuals —one male and four females— from the Mazda bus. The victims were promptly attended to, in conjunction with the Lagos State Ambulance Service, and were transported to the Accident and Emergency Centre located near the Toll Gate along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.”
Narrating the second incident, Taofiq noted that the collision occurred when a herd of cattle was on the expressway.
“In a related incident, an Acura SUV (AAA 818 HV) collided with two cows, resulting in the death of the animals and significant damage to the vehicle.
“The accident occurred today at Iyana-Oworo, inward Ogudu when a herd of cattle was crossing the highway.”
Reacting to the incident, the LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, urged motorists to avoid dangerous driving practices.
“LASTMA General Manager, Bakare-Oki, expressed his heartfelt sympathies to the victims and strongly urged all motorists, particularly commercial bus operators, to prioritise road safety and remain vigilant to avoid dangerous driving practices,” Taofiq said.
PUNCH Metro had on September 18 reported that a fatal accident, which occurred when a minibus driver rammed into a truck driver in the CMS area of Lagos, left one dead.
The truck driver had stopped to attend to a mechanical fault when the speeding minibus collided with him, leading to his immediate death.
