CITIZENS COMPASS—Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Wednesday, rescued a truck driver after a grave collision between two heavy-duty vehicles along Otedola Bridge, inward Berger–Ojodu corridor area of the State.
The male driver reportedly sustained grievous injuries to both legs and head.
Confirming the collision, LASTMA spokesperson, Adebayo Taofik, said the accident was preventable had it been the drivers had exercised caution while driving.
He said the collision occurred as the truck drivers jostled for the Right of Way.
According to him: In a tragic yet wholly preventable mishap that once again underscores the perils of recklessness and the perennial struggle for the Right of Way (ROW) among motorists, operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) executed a swift and coordinated emergency intervention following a grave collision between two heavy-duty vehicles along Otedola Bridge, inward Berger–Ojodu corridor, Lagos.
The accident, which involved a 14-tyre Scania truck laden with tonnes of wheat and a 6-tyre Iveco mini-truck transporting cartons of Gala sausage rolls, occurred when both vehicles reportedly engaged in a perilous contest for the Right of Way. The ensuing impact was violent, resulting in significant vehicular damage and the severe injury of one of the drivers.
The Director, LASTMA Incident Management & Enforcement Unit Mr. Akeem Adeoshun, who led the emergency response operations, confirmed that the driver of the 14-tyre Scania truck sustained grievous injuries to both legs and head.
He noted that “the foremost duty in any rescue mission is the preservation of human life,” affirming that the victim was carefully extricated from the mangled vehicle with support from Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Police and immediately conveyed him to a nearby medical facility for urgent treatment.
Mr. Adeosun further disclosed that the scale of the accident necessitated the temporary closure of the entire expressway inward Berger from Otedola Bridge to vehicular traffic, enabling rescue personnel and heavy-duty recovery machinery to complete the transloading and evacuation processes safely. Normal traffic flow was subsequently restored upon the successful clearance of the wreckage from the carriageway.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare–Oki, decried the incessant recklessness of drivers who engage in dangerous manoeuvres and unlawful competition for the Right of Way, describing the crash as “an avoidable tragedy that should never have transpired.”
He lamented the persistent indiscipline and blatant disregard for road safety regulations exhibited by some motorists, reiterating that LASTMA remains unwavering in its commitment to enforcing traffic laws, safeguarding human lives, and ensuring orderliness across Lagos roads.
Mr. Bakare–Oki further commended the professionalism, courage, and rapid response demonstrated by the LASTMA Rescue Team during the operation.
He extended his sincere wishes for the full and speedy recovery of the injured driver while urging all motorists to embrace patience, civility, and restraint, particularly along high-capacity expressways and major intersections.
He reaffirmed that adherence to traffic regulations remains the cornerstone of safety and order within the State’s ever-busy transportation corridors.
