Truck falls from Oshodi Bridge, traps one

A six-tyre truck with number plate, AKD 135 YK, suffered brake failure on Saturday, plunging off the Oshodi Bridge into the terminal ditch while descending from Oshodi-Oke inward Mile 2.

An occupant of the vehicle was said to have been trapped, but was rescued by men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), along with the driver of the vehicle.

The LASTMA spokesperson, Taofik Adebayo, said LASTMA officials rescued the “severely injured” male victim.

He explained further, “Preliminary information gathered from the scene indicated that the ill-fated truck, reportedly laden with tonner printing materials, experienced a critical mechanical failure while descending the bridge, thereby losing control before skidding off the carriageway and tumbling into the terminal below.

“The unfortunate incident, which could have culminated in catastrophic casualties, was swiftly mitigated through the prompt, professional, and coordinated intervention of LASTMA personnel who arrived at the scene within minutes to rescue victims, manage traffic, and prevent escalation.

“Upon arrival, the officers immediately commenced rescue operations and successfully extricated a male victim who sustained grievous injuries in the accident. The injured man was expeditiously conveyed to a nearby medical facility for urgent treatment, while the driver of the truck was apprehended and handed over to security operatives from Makinde Police Station, Oshodi, for further investigation into the cause of the brake malfunction and other contributory factors.

“To forestall secondary collisions and ensure the safety of road users, LASTMA operatives swiftly cordoned off the accident scene, diverted vehicular movement, and supervised the clearance of the wreckage thereby restoring traffic normalcy within a remarkably short period.”

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Bakare Oki, lauded their exceptional response, diligence, and adherence to standard safety protocols during the operation.

Oki emphasized that the agency’s ongoing 24-hour traffic management operations were instituted to guarantee seamless vehicular movement across the state before, during, and after the Yuletide festive season.

He disclosed that heavy-duty recovery vehicles and mini trucks have been strategically deployed across the five administrative divisions of Lagos, supported by over 2,700 personnel stationed at critical traffic nodes and corridors for optimal coverage and swift emergency response.

The GM promised continuous enlightenment of motorists on the imperatives of mechanical maintenance, safety discipline, and compliance with traffic laws across the metropolis.