Seven
persons were killed and 12 others injured when a 40-foot container fell off a
truck in the Alakija area on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway on Wednesday.
It was learnt that at
about 7.30am, the truck, with number plate KRD 526 XP, moved from its lane to
another lane and rammed into a commercial bus after its brakes failed.
In
the process, the container the truck was carrying fell, killing seven people
and injuring 12 others.
The
incident happened at the Alakija bus stop.
It
was gathered that some commercial motorcycle riders at the bus stop were also
trapped under the fallen container.
It
was learnt that the minibus, with number plate EPE 972 XH, was crushed, while
its passengers were trapped.
Policemen
from the FESTAC Police Division, officials of the Lagos State Emergency
Management Agency, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and the Lagos State
Fire Service were observed at the scene.
A
large crowd of sympathisers were also observed trying to rescue the motorcycle
riders and bus passengers trapped under the container.
A
witness said that three of the deceased were motorcycle riders.
He
identified the two of them simply as Ganiyu and Mohammed.
He
said, “The problem here is that motorcycle riders and bus drivers always block
a part of the road in their search for passengers. Also, the road is in a bad
condition and traffic is always heavy at the bus stop.
“This
morning, the truck had wanted to manoeuvre its way when the container on it
fell and crushed the passengers in the bus. It also crushed some okada riders at the junction. Many people were trapped
under the container.
“Three
okada riders died on the spot. Others
had broken legs and arms. There was confusion at the bus stop for several
hours.”
A
policeman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the slow pace of
construction work at the bus stop contributed to the accident.
He
said, “Five persons died on the spot. As a result of the failed brakes, the
driver lost control of the vehicle and rammed into the minibus. Apart from the
five persons who were killed on the spot, several others were trapped under the
container. Traffic officials were assisted by some sympathisers, who rushed
several injured persons to different hospitals.
“Apart
from the deaths and injuries, the container smashed about seven motorcycles and
some electric poles in the area.”
An
emergency official said that the casualties would have been more but for the
interruption of power supply in the area.
“The
electricity firm in Alakija was alerted to switch off power supply to the area
to prevent electrocution because some electric poles were damaged. Heavy duty
machines were used to remove the wreckage,” he added.
Tags
Society