By Ken Chiwendu
Two dispatch riders killed on Sunday after a 20- foot container fell on them during a headon collision involving two Mack trucks on Eko Bridge in Lagos
Confirming the incident in a statement, the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, said that” preliminary findings suggested that the driver of one of the articulated trucks, reportedly driving at an excessive speed while allegedly dozing off, lost control of the vehicle.”
“This collision led to the dislodgement of a 20-foot container from one of the trucks, which subsequently crushed two unsuspecting dispatch riders who were navigating the route at the time.
“Both victims were confirmed dead at the scene.
Taofic said the swift and coordinated response from LASTMA officers, who were on routine traffic monitoring duty beneath the Eko Bridge, ensured the immediate rescue of one severely injured truck driver.
According to him,the driver was transported to a nearby hospital in a Lagos State Government ambulance for urgent medical attention.
However,the two other truck drivers reportedly fled the scene and are currently being given a hot chase
To forestall further incidents and safeguard other road users, LASTMA said its personnel immediately cordoned off the affected stretch of the bridge and redirected vehicular traffic through the Coastain Roundabout inward Alaka en route to the stadium.
LASTMA ‘s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and reiterated the critical importance of responsible driving, particularly for operators of articulated vehicles.
LASTMA said investigations are currently underway to trace and apprehend the fleeing drivers involved in the fatal crash.
