By Amofokhai Williams
Four people, including a commercial bus driver, have died, while 13 passengers sustained critical injuries in a collision involving a truck and a fully loaded commercial bus on Alaro City Bridge, inward T-Junction, Epe, Lagos State.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) disclosed this in a statement, saying the crash occurred on the single-lane bridge when the truck rammed into the commercial bus, leaving several victims trapped in the wreckage.
The truck driver also sustained severe injuries, including the traumatic severance of both legs, which became trapped in the mangled wreckage, according to the authority.
LASTMA operatives, working with personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), coordinated rescue operations and evacuated the four deceased victims to a mortuary.
The Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) transported the 13 critically injured passengers to the nearest medical facility for emergency treatment.
Security personnel from the Epe Police Division provided security support during the rescue operation, helping responders carry out their duties and maintain order at the scene.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and sympathised with those mourning their loved ones. He also wished the injured victims a speedy and complete recovery.
Bakare-Oki urged motorists to exercise greater caution and comply with traffic regulations, particularly when driving across bridges, narrow carriageways and other road bottlenecks where dangerous manoeuvres can lead to fatal crashes.
Following the collision, LASTMA personnel implemented traffic management measures along the affected corridor to ease congestion, regulate vehicle movement and gradually restore normal traffic flow.
The authority said its officers remained at the scene to manage the resulting traffic backlog and facilitate the orderly movement of vehicles.
LASTMA reiterated its commitment to road safety, the protection of lives and effective coordination with emergency responders and security agencies during traffic incidents.
It also urged motorists to maintain safe following distances, observe speed limits and avoid reckless driving, especially on bridges and narrow roads.
The authority warned that a moment of carelessness behind the wheel could result in devastating consequences for motorists and other road users.
The statement was signed by Adebayo Taofiq, Director of LASTMA’s Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department.
