A truck driver has died while his assistant sustained injuries in a lone accident involving a 40-foot containerised articulated vehicle along the Isheri Elemu-Ijegun corridor in Lagos.
The driver died at the scene after he was trapped beneath the truck, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, LASTMA confirmed that the motor boy was rescued by emergency responders and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Taofiq said preliminary findings showed that the empty articulated truck suddenly lost stability while in motion and overturned, leading to the crash.
LASTMA said its Rescue and Recovery Unit responded to the scene, recovered the driver’s body and evacuated the injured assistant for medical attention.
“The unfortunate incident resulted in the immediate death of the driver, who became trapped beneath the overturned truck and succumbed instantly to the impact of the crash.
“The motor boy accompanying the deceased, however, survived the accident with multiple injuries and fractures and was promptly rescued and evacuated to a nearby medical facility for urgent medical attention.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the articulated truck, which was not carrying any cargo suddenly lost stability while in motion and overturned, leading to the devastating accident,” LASTMA said in a statement.
The agency added that its personnel secured the accident scene, managed traffic flow and coordinated emergency operations to prevent secondary crashes and ensure the safety of other road users.
It also noted that officers of the Isheri Osun Police Division provided security support during the rescue and recovery operation.
A heavy-duty crane and a flatbed recovery truck were deployed to remove the overturned vehicle and clear the wreckage from the road to restore normal traffic flow.
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Mr Bakare-Oki Olalekan, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased driver and wished the injured motor boy a speedy recovery.
Olalekan also reiterated the need for routine mechanical inspections and proper maintenance of heavy-duty vehicles, particularly articulated trucks operating on Lagos roads.
He said critical components such as braking systems, steering mechanisms, tyres and suspension assemblies should undergo regular professional checks to prevent avoidable accidents.
(The Whistler)