A dramatic rescue operation unfolded in the early hours of Saturday morning along Ikorodu Road, near the Idi-Iroko axis inbound Maryland, following a severe accident. A 40-foot container-laden truck crushed a Toyota Sienna minivan at approximately 1:30 a.m. The white Toyota Sienna, bearing registration number LSR 267 GZ, was severely impacted by the fully loaded Mack truck. Preliminary investigations suggest the truck experienced a brake failure, which is suspected to have resulted from excessive speed. This malfunction caused the driver to lose control, leading to the container toppling from the trailer and crushing the minivan beneath it.

Operatives from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) were swiftly deployed to the scene after receiving emergency distress calls. LASTMA’s midnight surveillance and emergency response team, equipped with high-grade rescue tools, undertook a delicate and precise extraction process. Their efforts culminated in the successful rescue of a male occupant who was trapped inside the severely mangled wreckage. The victim, whose identity was not disclosed, received immediate medical attention from personnel of the Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS) and was reported to be in a stable condition.

The truck driver reportedly fled the scene shortly after the accident, allegedly fearing mob action or potential prosecution, under the mistaken belief that the crash had resulted in fatalities. In the aftermath of the rescue, the mangled remains of the Toyota Sienna were towed to the Anthony Police Station for documentation. Both the truck and its dislodged container were impounded by LASTMA and transported to the agency’s operational headquarters for further investigation.

Speaking on the incident, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, the General Manager of LASTMA, expressed profound relief at the victim’s survival and lauded the professionalism and dedication of the rescue team. He emphasized that this “deeply distressing incident highlights, yet again, the perilous consequences of mechanical laxity, reckless driving, and habitual speeding on our roads.” Bakare-Oki urged all truck operators to adhere to the highest safety standards and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on any journey, especially within densely populated urban areas. He further called for stricter compliance with vehicular maintenance protocols and traffic regulations to prevent such avoidable disasters in the future.