One Injured As Truck Plunges Off Lagos Bridge

A man was severely injured on Saturday when a fully loaded truck plunged off the Oshodi Bridge in Lagos after suffering a brake failure.

The six-tyre truck was reportedly laden with toner printing materials and was descending from Oshodi-Oke inward Mile 2 when it lost control and tumbled into the terminal ditch below.

According to a statement by the spokesperson of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, the accident was caused by a critical mechanical failure that made the driver lose control of the vehicle.

LASTMA operatives arrived at the scene within minutes and rescued a male victim who sustained grievous injuries.

He was taken to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.

The driver of the truck was apprehended and handed over to officers from Makinde Police Station, Oshodi, for further investigation into the cause of the brake malfunction and other contributory factors.

To prevent further incidents, Adebayo said LASTMA officials quickly cordoned off the area, diverted traffic, and supervised the clearance of the wreckage, restoring normal movement within a short time.

“Preliminary information gathered from the scene indicated that the ill-fated truck, reportedly laden with toner printing materials, experienced a critical mechanical failure while descending the bridge, thereby losing control before skidding off the carriageway and tumbling into the terminal below.

“The unfortunate incident, which could have culminated in catastrophic casualties, was swiftly mitigated through the prompt, professional, and coordinated intervention of LASTMA personnel who arrived at the scene within minutes to rescue victims, manage traffic, and prevent escalation,” he said.

Commending the officers for their swift and professional response, the General Manager of LASTMA, Bakare Oki, praised their dedication and strict adherence to safety procedures.

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring public safety and traffic orderliness across Lagos, especially during the ember months when accident risks are higher.

Oki also disclosed that heavy-duty recovery vehicles and mini trucks have been strategically deployed across the state’s five divisions, supported by over 2,700 personnel stationed at key traffic points to ensure rapid response to emergencies.

He expressed the agency’s commitment to proactive traffic regulation, timely rescue operations, and the continuous enlightenment of motorists on the imperatives of mechanical maintenance, safety discipline, and compliance with traffic laws across the metropolis.

THE WHISTLER reports that last Saturday, one person was killed while several others sustained injuries following an accident that occurred at Obadore, inward Igando, along the LASU-Igando Road in Lagos.

It was gathered that the incident happened around 11 p.m. when a commercial Mazda bus, fully loaded with passengers, collided with a broken-down Private Sector Participant (PSP) compactor truck that had been abandoned on the road.