Preliminary findings indicated that the truck driver lost control of the vehicle while in motion, causing it to veer across the carriageway and collide with the oncoming passenger bus.

Four passengers have died and four others sustained serious injuries following a road accident involving an articulated truck and a commercial minibus along the Lekki–Epe Expressway in Lagos.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, on Sunday, saying the crash occurred opposite Beechwood, Shapati, inward Ajah, over the weekend.

According to the agency, the accident involved a HOWO truck with registration number KNN 313 YL and a Suzuki commercial minibus popularly known as “Korope.”

Preliminary findings indicated that the truck driver lost control of the vehicle while in motion, causing it to veer across the carriageway and collide with the oncoming passenger bus.

The agency added that the impact of the crash led to the immediate death of four male passengers, while four others, two men and two women, were seriously injured after becoming trapped inside the wreckage of the commercial vehicle.

“Preliminary security assessment revealed that the driver of the articulated truck lost control of the vehicle while in motion and the truck subsequently veered uncontrollably across the carriageway violently rammed into an oncoming commercial mini bus conveying passengers along the busy corridor,” the statement said.

LASTMA officials, supported by other emergency responders and passersby, reportedly arrived quickly at the scene and rescued the injured victims.

“LASTMA personnel swiftly mobilised to the scene and painstakingly extricated the four trapped victims from the crushed remains of the commercial bus with the support of other emergency responders including passersby,” the statement noted.

The injured victims were taken to Hamon Royal Hospital for urgent medical treatment, while the remains of the deceased were evacuated to the Shency Hospital morgue by an ambulance belonging to the Federal Road Safety Corps.

Police officers from the Elemoro Division were also present at the scene to maintain order and secure the area during the rescue operation.

Authorities said the driver of the truck and his motorboy fled shortly after the accident occurred.

“Meanwhile, police have assured a thorough investigation on the remote cause of the tragic road collision,” the statement added.

Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed sadness over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the families of the victims.

He also wished the injured passengers a speedy recovery and praised the coordinated response of emergency agencies at the scene.do

Bakare-Oki further urged motorists, particularly drivers of articulated vehicles, to comply with traffic safety regulations.

He cautioned drivers to “exercise utmost caution, strictly adhere to traffic safety regulations and cultivate responsible driving habits in order to prevent avoidable road tragedies across the state.”

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