Truck Crushes Baby, Two Others To Death On Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway

An articulated truck has crushed a toddler and two adults to death at the Toll-Gate section of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

According to PUNCH, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, revealed that the accident occurred at about 2 pm.

Akinbiyi revealed that six other persons sustained varying degrees of injuries in the accident, which involved 15 people.

He explained that eyewitnesses reported that the articulated truck suffered brake failure before ramming into multiple vehicles and passengers who were waiting to board a bus at the bus stop.

He said, “A fatal road traffic accident occurred at the Toll-Gate along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. It involved a white Howo Sino truck with number plate T4995LA, two yellow commercial buses with number plates SMK 199YK and AGL394YA, an LT commercial bus with number plate FKJ 360YH, and two Suzuki yellow buses with number plates 98YL and KSF 23YA.

“According to eyewitness accounts, the Howo truck suffered brake failure, subsequently crushing victims who were attempting to board a bus and damaging several vehicles in its path.”

Akinbiyi added that three of the victims died in the crash while six others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

“Fifteen people were involved; six commuters were injured while three others, a toddler and two adults, died,” he added.

The TRACE spokesperson, while commiserating with the families of the deceased, warned articulated vehicle owners to ensure that their vehicles were properly maintained before embarking on trips.

“Articulated vehicle drivers are again charged to ensure proper maintenance of their vehicles as and when due in view of their attendant challenges.

“Moreover, traders who display their wares on walkways and roadsides are also advised to remove them in view of the consequences,” Akinbiyi said.

Accidents are increasing on many roads in Nigeria, often resulting in deaths and injuries. Some stakeholders have blamed the recurrence on the poor training of the drivers of these trucks, while others have blamed it on the poor regulation by the government.