Two dispatch riders crushed to death on Eko Bridge
An accident on the Eko Bridge inward the Alaka corridor claimed the lives of two dispatch riders yesterday after a collision with two loaded Mack trucks.
Preliminary investigations suggest that one of the articulated trucks, with registration number T-10357 LA, was reportedly on top speed when the driver, who allegedly dozed off on the wheel, lost control. The vehicle rammed into another moving truck ahead, with registration number KHA107 XM, resulting in the collision.
The impact caused a 20-foot container to dislodge from one of the trucks, crushing the dispatch riders who were navigating the route. Both were confirmed dead at the scene.
Officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), who were monitoring traffic beneath the bridge, responded swiftly. They facilitated the rescue of a severely injured truck driver, who was transported to a nearby hospital by a Lagos State Government ambulance.
According to Adebayo Taofiq, director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, the two truck drivers reportedly fled.
The affected section of the bridge was cordoned off by LASTMA officials, who re-routed traffic through Coastain Roundabout inward Alaka, en route to Stadium.
LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed sorrow over the losses. He emphasised the need for responsible driving, particularly among operators of heavy-duty vehicles. He urged drivers to remain alert, drive cautiously, and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before setting out.
Mr. Bakare-Oki also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to campaigns aimed at promoting road safety awareness among motorists.
Other emergency responders at the scene included personnel from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU), and officers from the Iponri Police Division.