A motor boy has died in a multi-vehicle crash on the Kara Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The incident caused heavy traffic along the busy corridor.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) disclosed this in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, on Friday. The crashes occurred in the early hours on Kara Bridge inward Mowe-Ibafo.
According to the agency, the accident involved three articulated trucks, two Mitsubishi Canter trucks, a Toyota Sienna and another articulated trailer carrying chemical substances that overturned on the bridge.
Preliminary findings showed that the overturned trailer blocked part of the roadway, triggering a chain-reaction collision involving the other vehicles.
LASTMA said a motor boy trapped during the initial crash around the Opic axis died despite the prompt intervention of emergency responders. His remains were later evacuated in line with emergency procedures.
The agency said it could not immediately establish the registration details of the affected vehicles because emergency responders prioritised rescuing victims, evacuating casualties and clearing the scene.
The crashes caused severe traffic congestion stretching from Kara Bridge through Berger to Otedola Bridge, with the gridlock extending to the Isheri-Olowora and Ogunnusi corridors.
A joint rescue operation involving LASTMA, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Road Safety Corps, officers of the Nigeria Police Force from Adigboluja Police Station and heavy-duty towing operators was launched to rescue victims, recover damaged vehicles and restore traffic flow.
To ease the congestion, LASTMA implemented temporary traffic diversion measures, allowing controlled one-way movement from Berger towards Opic Turning while recovery and clearance operations continued.
Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and reiterated the agency’s commitment to protecting lives through prompt emergency response, efficient traffic management and inter-agency collaboration.
He urged operators of articulated vehicles and other motorists to ensure their vehicles are mechanically roadworthy before embarking on journeys, maintain safe following distances, avoid reckless driving and exercise extra caution, particularly on bridges and other critical transport corridors.
The agency advised motorists to remain calm, cooperate with traffic management officials and use alternative routes where possible until normal traffic flow is restored.
Members of the public were also urged to report road crashes, vehicle breakdowns, traffic obstructions and other emergencies through the agency’s toll-free emergency short code, 3367.
(The Whistler)
