A fully-laden truck with registration number GGE 624 YJ lost control while navigating the Pen Cinema Bridge along Agege, Old Abeokuta Road in Lagos on Saturday morning, plunging off the bridge and landing on two stationary commercial Volkswagen buses popularly known as "korope" beneath the bridge.
The truck driver sustained grievous fractures to both hands and arms due to the heavy impact. Emergency responders, including officers from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), quickly extricated the injured driver and handed him over to the Elere Police Division. He was then rushed to the General Hospital, Ile-Epo, for urgent medical attention.
The accident caused significant obstruction to traffic flow along the axis for several hours. LASTMA personnel cordoned off the accident site and diverted traffic to prevent secondary incidents. The LASEMA Response Unit later cleared the wreckage, restoring normal traffic movement.
LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki expressed deep concern over the incident, urging all motorists, especially truck operators, to exercise heightened vigilance and comply strictly with road safety protocols. He also emphasized adherence to newly installed speed-limiting devices aimed at reducing accidents, particularly with the onset of the rainy season. Bakare-Oki extended heartfelt wishes for the driver's speedy recovery.
Fortunately, there were no occupants in the two buses when the truck fell on them, preventing further casualties. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for careful driving and strict enforcement of safety measures on Lagos roads.