Five persons were, on Friday, critically injured in Lagos following a collision between a petrol tanker and a commercial bus.
The accident occurred at the Toyota Bus Stop, directly opposite The Guardian Newspaper Headquarters, inward Oshodi.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) described the accident a stark and sobering illustration of the grave consequences of roadway negligence.
LASTMA spokesman, Adebayo Taofiq said the agency seamlessly coordinated the rescue operation in the aftermath of the accident.
Taofiq said in statement: “The catastrophic incident, which unfolded amid the dense congestion of peak-hour traffic, involved a fully laden Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) tanker truck, registration number T28128LA, and a commercial Volkswagen T4 bus, bearing registration number GGE 526 YG.
“Preliminary findings by security operatives from Oloto Police Station revealed that the PMS-laden tanker, travelling at perilously excessive speed, suffered a sudden and catastrophic brake failure. In a desperate bid to avert impending disaster, the driver lost all operational control, resulting in a ferocious collision with the moving, fully loaded commercial bus — an impact of such violent intensity that it left multiple occupants grievously injured.
“The collision inflicted severe injuries upon five individuals — two males, three females, including the bus driver — all of whom were rescued alive through the decisive, swift, and highly professional intervention of LASTMA operatives.
“Acting with commendable precision, the rescue team secured the accident scene, extracted the injured, and mitigated the risk of secondary hazards.”
On his part, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, conveyed heartfelt wishes to the victims and wished them a speedy recovery.
He issued an unequivocal admonition to operators of articulated and heavy-duty vehicles, particularly tanker drivers, to maintain their machinery in flawless mechanical condition, with meticulous emphasis on the integrity of braking systems, to prevent avoidable tragedies of this magnitude.
Bakare-Oki condemned the brazen disregard for statutory speed limits, which are conspicuously signposted along Lagos highways, stressing that adherence could have significantly reduced the severity of the calamity.
* Media Report