40-foot container falls on Toyota Sienna in Lagos, driver escapes death
40-foot container falls on Toyota Sienna in Lagos, driver escapes death
A 40-foot container on Saturday morning detached from a Mack truck and fell on a Toyota Sienna SUV, pinning down the SUV occupant in near-death grip.
The driver of the Toyota Sienna with number plate, LSR 267 GZ, was however, said to have escaped death.
The incident which was put at approximately 1.30am on Saturday occurred along the main carriageway at Idi-Iroko, inbound Maryland on Ikorodu Road, Lagos.
Security personnel—who were summoned to the scene by operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA)—in their report noted that the articulated truck suffered a brake malfunction, believed to have been precipitated by excessive speed.
The report stated that the malfunction caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, leading to the truck’s container detaching and toppling onto the Sienna, which was crushed entirely beneath its massive weight.
It was gathered that LASTMA midnight surveillance and rescue unit responded swiftly to distress calls and upon arrival, the officers managed to effect a painstaking extraction operation.
The officers eventually were able to rescue a male occupant who had been pinned within the wreckage of the SUV.
Adebayo Taofiq, Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, confirmed the incident in a statement.
He added that the driver of the container-laden truck fled the scene.
“He was apparently gripped by panic and under the erroneous belief that the occupants of the vehicle had not survived—possibly fearing mob retribution or criminal prosecution.
“Following the rescue operation, the mangled Sienna was towed to the Anthony Police Station yard, while the truck and its dislodged container were impounded and transferred to the LASTMA operational headquarters for further investigation and administrative action.
“The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep gratitude that a life was salvaged through the extraordinary bravery and professionalism exhibited by the agency’s response team.
“He emphasized the indispensable necessity of routine vehicular inspections, particularly for articulated and heavy-duty vehicles, and sternly admonished fleet operators and drivers to ascertain the roadworthiness of their vehicles prior to embarking on any transit, especially within urban corridors.
“This deeply distressing incident highlights, yet again, the perilous consequences of mechanical laxity, reckless driving, and habitual speeding on our thoroughfares. We therefore issue an urgent appeal to all truck operators to uphold the highest safety standards and adhere strictly to extant traffic regulations to forestall further avoidable disasters,” the statement added.
While wishing the rescued individual a speedy and full recovery, Bakare-Oki also commended the unwavering resolve and dedication of the rescue teams, whose efforts from 1am until 4am, were instrumental in restoring order and ensuring the unhindered resumption of vehicular movement within the affected area.
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