LASTMA intervention averts secondary crash after fatal Ojuelegba accident - The Guardian Nigeria News
A passenger was killed in a lone accident involving a commercial Volkswagen bus along the Ojuelegba axis of Surulere, Lagos, after the vehicle reportedly crashed into a median pole at Ogunlana Junction. The incident occurred inward Ojuelegba by Fallout area, when the bus, with registration number LND 130 XR, allegedly veered off its path and careered violently into the median.
Preliminary reports indicated that the driver was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and had been driving recklessly shortly before the crash. According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), motorists approaching the vehicle from behind had to exercise caution to avoid colliding with the erratically driven bus. During the incident, a male passenger reportedly jumped out of the moving vehicle in an attempt to escape and sustained serious injuries after hitting the ground. He later died from the injuries.
LASTMA officials conducting traffic surveillance in the Ojuelegba area quickly responded after noticing the crash. They secured the scene, managed traffic, and removed the damaged vehicle and the deceased passenger from the road to prevent a possible secondary collision. Personnel from the Area C Police Division, Ojuelegba, provided security cover, while officials of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEHMU) evacuated the remains of the deceased.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the incident as another warning about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and the use of mechanically defective vehicles. Bakare-Oki urged commercial and private motorists to conduct proper checks on their vehicles before every journey, particularly the braking system, tyres, steering and other critical safety components.
While commiserating with the family of the deceased, the LASTMA boss reiterated the agency’s commitment to rapid emergency response, effective traffic management and prompt clearance of accident scenes to protect road users. He also urged motorists and other members of the public to report accidents, vehicle breakdowns, traffic obstructions and other road-related emergencies through LASTMA’s toll-free short code 3367.
