5 DIED IN 3RD MAINLAND ROAD ACCIDENT

Five people, including two children, have been confirmed dead and 13 others injured after three vehicles crashed on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos State.

It was learnt that the accident happened at about 6pm on Sunday around the UNILAG Waterfront end of the bridge. It involved a LAGBUS, a Rover Jeep and a Hilux pickup.

An official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority who spoke on the telephone said that the accident was caused by the pickup.

He explained that the driver of the truck drove at top speed and had a blowout before somersaulting.

He said, “The truck driver was at top speed when he had a blowout and somersaulted. The truck crashed into the other vehicles, including the LAGBUS. In all, two vehicles somersaulted in the accident. Five people died and 13 were injured.”

A resident, Babajide Kabiawu, said there was an influx of emergency response teams at the scene of the accident.

“Fire service trucks and ambulances were seen going to the scene to remove the corpses and clear the wreckage. Commercial vehicles are turning back from the bridge,” he said.

The General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Michael Akindele, confirmed the crash, adding that two children were among the victims.

He said, “The accident occurred around 6.10 pm on the Third Mainland Bridge inward Iyana Oworo, by UNILAG Waterfront. It involved three vehicles, a LAGBUS, a Hilux truck belonging to a local vigilante group, and a Rover Jeep.

“Five persons were confirmed dead, among which were three female adults and two children (one female and one male). Five persons were also injured and taken by LASAMBUS to the Trauma Centre.

 “The LASEMA response team towed away the vehicles from the bridge, while the dead bodies have been taken by the State Emergency Health Monitoring Unit to the Mainland Hospital mortuary.”

Akindele said proper investigation would be carried out to ascertain the cause of the accident, urging motorists to avoid speeding and adhere to traffic rules and regulations.

FRSC Sector Commander for Lagos State,Mr Hyginus Omeje also confirmed the incident when he spoke with CKN News last night.