Tragedy struck on Ikorodu Road on Sunday as two female passengers, including an eight-month-old infant lost their lives in a fatal road crash involving two commercial buses. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority
(LASTMA) confirmed that the accident occurred opposite Olabode House, between Anthony and Obanikoro, when a red long Tata commercial bus reportedly lost control while travelling at high speed from Palmgroove toward Anthony.
According LASTMA spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, preliminary investigations revealed that the Tata bus suffered mechanical and directional failure, causing it to veer off its lane, crash through the median barrier and ram into an oncoming Volkswagen commercial bus conveying passengers from Anthony toward Palmgroove.
The impact resulted in the instant death of an adult female passenger, while an eight-month-old baby later died from injuries sustained in the crash.LASTMA operatives, promptly carried out rescue operations. Ten victims, including the drivers of both vehicles, were rescued with varying degrees of injuries. Six passengers were extricated from the Volkswagen bus, while four others were evacuated from the Tata bus.
To prevent further accidents, traffic officials cordoned off the scene and removed the wrecked vehicles, restoring traffic flow along the Ikorodu Road expressway.
The Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) transported the injured victims to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care, while officials of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) evacuated the bodies of the deceased. Security was provided by officers from the Ilupeju Police Division throughout the operation.
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased, particularly the mother of the infant, who was also injured and is currently receiving medical treatment.He described the crash as a painful reminder of the dangers of speeding and reckless driving, urging commercial drivers to strictly adhere to speed limits and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on any journey.
“Routine checks on braking systems and other critical components are non-negotiable,” Bakare-Oki warned, adding that negligence on the road often leads to irreversible consequences.He reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to traffic safety, emergency response and public enlightenment.