One Dead, Six Injured in Fatal Crash at Gbagada as LASTMA Restores Traffic Flow
OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos
A female passenger has lost her life while six others sustained severe injuries following a tragic road accident at New Castle Bus Stop inward Gbagada along the Oworonsoki–Apapa Expressway in Lagos over the weekend.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the accident involved a Volkswagen commercial bus with registration number LSD 654 XY, which reportedly lost control and rammed into a roadside culvert along the busy corridor.
According to reports, the impact of the crash forcefully ejected a female passenger from the vehicle onto the expressway. In a tragic development, an oncoming articulated trailer was unable to avoid the fallen passenger and ran over her, leading to her instant death.
Six other occupants of the commercial bus, including the driver, sustained varying degrees of serious injuries, including multiple fractures. The driver of the articulated trailer reportedly fled the scene after the incident.
LASTMA officials monitoring traffic around the Gbagada axis were said to have swiftly responded to the emergency, activating traffic management measures to prevent further accidents and manage congestion along the corridor.
The agency temporarily cordoned off the expressway to allow for the evacuation of the injured victims, the body of the deceased passenger, and the wreckage of the bus involved in the crash.
Personnel from the Pedro Police Division later arrived at the scene to provide security support for traffic officials and other emergency responders while ensuring order around the accident area.
Officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) subsequently transported the six injured victims, including the driver who reportedly suffered a fractured leg, to a nearby medical facility for urgent medical treatment.
The remains of the deceased passenger were also evacuated from the scene by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU).
Following the evacuation and recovery operation, LASTMA officials cleared the accident debris from the road, restoring normal vehicular movement along the expressway.
Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased passenger and wished the injured victims a speedy recovery.
Bakare-Oki also reiterated the agency’s commitment to continuous public enlightenment campaigns aimed at promoting road safety awareness across Lagos State.
He urged vehicle owners and commercial transport operators to ensure that their vehicles are in good mechanical condition, particularly the braking systems, before embarking on journeys.
According to him, strict adherence to routine vehicle maintenance remains a vital measure for preventing avoidable road traffic accidents and protecting lives on the nation’s highways.
The agency further advised motorists to exercise caution while driving and adhere strictly to road safety regulations.
