January 29, (THEWILL) – Nine persons comprising 7 adults and two children have been confirmed killed, after a truck, laden with containers, fell on a commercial bus at Ojuelegba, inwards Fadeyi, in Lagos on Sunday.
A statement by the permanent secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said one adult female was rescued alive and was taken to the trauma centre.
Oke-Osanyintolu said, “Upon arrival at the scene, a truck conveying a 20ft container was found to have landed on top of a commercial bus. Further investigations revealed that the bus was picking up passengers when the truck lost control and fell over the side of the bridge.
“After suspending the container load with the aid of the Agency’s forklift and cutting off the top of the bus with light rescue equipment, a single adult woman was extricated alive and taken to the trauma centre.
“Final casualty count is 9 fatalities comprising 4 adult males, 3 adult females, one boy child and one girl child. One adult female was rescued alive.
“The Agency’s heavy-duty Goliath and teams from Onipanu and Cappa are on ground. The Agency’s Ambulance, LASG FIRE, FED FIRE, LASTMA and Nigeria Police have been working on this situation which is now concluded.”
The LASEMA boss, however, disclosed that further investigation would be carried out by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on the removal of the barriers on the bridge aimed at preventing trucks from ascending the bridge.
About the Author
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
