A tragic road accident involving two commercial Toyota Sienna vehicles occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, May 5, on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, specifically at the Ilaje inward Iyana Oworo axis. The collision resulted in one fatality and left four other individuals injured.

According to statements released by Olawale Afolabi, head of public affairs of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), and confirmed by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), both vehicles were fully loaded at the time of the head-on collision. The deceased was identified as a woman, and tragically, her 30-year-old daughter, who was in the same vehicle, survived the crash. The registration numbers of the involved vehicles were LSR 809 GV and LSR 695 HM.

Preliminary investigations strongly indicated that reckless driving and excessive speeding by one of the Toyota Sienna vehicles triggered the fatal incident. This factor was highlighted by authorities as a major cause of such severe accidents on the roads.

Emergency response was swift. LASEMA’s Tiger Squad from the C3 Command was activated at approximately 7:26 am, arriving at the scene around 8:00 am to coordinate rescue and recovery operations. LASTMA operatives, on routine patrol, also responded promptly upon receiving a distress call, immediately implementing traffic control measures, including positioning safety cones to secure the area and protect other road users. Personnel from the Oworonsoki Police Division were actively involved in documenting the incident and initiating necessary legal procedures.

The injured victims were rescued and transported to a nearby trauma centre for urgent medical attention. The remains of the deceased woman were evacuated by security operatives. Officials from LASEMA, LASTMA, and police officers collaborated effectively to manage traffic flow and clear the wreckage from the bridge.

Further details revealed that one of the drivers involved in the crash absconded from the scene. However, the second driver was promptly apprehended by LASTMA personnel and subsequently handed over to the police. This individual is now under investigation, facing possible prosecution in accordance with the law.

Reacting to the incident, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, the General Manager of LASTMA, issued a stern warning to motorists against reckless driving. He emphasized that over-speeding remains a primary contributor to fatal accidents and urged all drivers to exercise greater caution, adhere strictly to speed limits, and maintain discipline while on the road. LASTMA reiterated its unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and ensuring a smooth and safe traffic flow across Lagos State.