One dead, two injured as truck overturns on Kara bridge in Lagos

A man has lost his life while two others sustained injuries after a truck overturned on Kara Bridge, inward Mowe-Ibafo, in the early hours of Friday, causing a multiple-vehicle crash and severe traffic disruption.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, saying its Response Team was deployed to the scene at about 5:46 a.m. after receiving reports of a truck accident obstructing the busy corridor.

According to the agency, responders arrived to find a truck loaded with bags of monosodium glutamate lying on its side across the carriageway, blocking about 75 per cent of the road inward Mowe-Ibafo.

“Preliminary investigation indicates that the incident was caused by a mechanical failure, specifically brake failure, which led the driver to lose control and the vehicle to overturn,” the statement said.  

The impact triggered heavy traffic congestion and led to a secondary collision involving four other vehicles, including a Toyota Sienna, a mini truck carrying paint, a flatbed truck loaded with imported plywood, and another fully loaded truck.

The agency added that the collision caused paint and wooden sheets to spill onto the road.

“Sadly, an adult male was found trapped beneath the overturned truck and was confirmed dead at the scene,” the statement added. 

His body was carefully recovered by emergency responders and handed over to officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, for evacuation.

Two other adult males sustained minor injuries and received treatment at the scene.

To prevent further accidents, LASEMA said the affected area was immediately secured while traffic management measures were put in place to reduce risks and improve vehicular movement.

Recovery operations also commenced with the deployment of two private tow trucks to evacuate the affected vehicles and clear the obstruction.

The agency said the operation is being jointly coordinated by the LASEMA Response Team, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Police Force and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA.

It added that efforts are ongoing to remove the damaged vehicles, clear the spilled contents from the roadway and restore normal traffic flow along the affected route.

Motorists were advised to remain patient, obey traffic diversions and follow instructions from traffic officials while maintaining safe driving speeds, especially around Kara Bridge.

The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, sympathised with the family of the deceased and wished the injured victims a quick recovery.

He also appreciated the efforts of all emergency responders and the cooperation of motorists during the operation.

LASEMA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, noting that it would continue working with other emergency agencies to ensure prompt and effective emergency response across Lagos State.