A tragic road accident involving an articulated truck and several commercial buses claimed three lives and left six others injured on Friday afternoon at Ota Tollgate inbound Lagos on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
The fatal crash occurred at about 2:15 p.m., according to officials of the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) who responded swiftly to the emergency.
Reports indicate that the accident involved six vehicles, including a white Howo Sino truck with registration number T4995LA and five commercial buses.
The buses involved were a yellow commercial bus with registration number SMK 199YK, another yellow commercial bus marked AGL 394YA, a light commercial bus with registration number FKJ 360YH, and two Suzuki yellow buses with registration numbers AKD 98YL and KSF 23YA.
Eyewitnesses said the articulated truck reportedly suffered a brake failure while approaching the tollgate, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The truck then rammed into commuters who were attempting to board a bus by the roadside and smashed into several vehicles along its path.
Emergency responders from TRACE, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and Papa Oscar Rescue Team arrived at the scene shortly after the crash to carry out rescue operations and manage traffic.
According to preliminary reports, about 15 occupants were involved in the accident. Six people sustained varying degrees of injuries, including three males and three females. The injured victims were promptly rescued and taken to the General Hospital in Ota for medical treatment.
Sadly, three persons lost their lives in the accident. The deceased included one adult male, one adult female, and a female toddler.
Medical personnel later confirmed the deaths before the bodies were evacuated to the Ifo General Hospital morgue.
The crash initially caused heavy traffic congestion along the busy expressway as rescue teams worked to clear the wreckage and assist victims. However, the coordinated efforts of emergency responders helped restore the free flow of traffic within a short period.
The damaged vehicles involved in the accident were later towed away from the scene and moved to the Papa Oscar impound yard for further investigation.
Babatunde Akinbiyi, the PRO of TRACE, confirmed the incident, saying, the situation had been brought under control and the road had been cleared for motorists.
Authorities have since used the opportunity to reiterate the need for strict vehicle maintenance, particularly among drivers of articulated trucks, warning that mechanical failures often lead to devastating accidents.
Officials also cautioned roadside traders against displaying goods on walkways and road shoulders, noting that such activities expose both traders and commuters to serious risks.
They urged motorists and road users to always observe safety precautions and ensure that their vehicles are in good mechanical condition before embarking on journeys.
Traffic flow along the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway has since returned to normal following the clearance of the accident scene.