Four Killed, Four Injured In Truck–Bus Collision On Lekki–Epe Expressway
OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos
Four passengers have lost their lives while four others sustained serious injuries following a tragic road crash along the Lekki–Epe Expressway over the weekend.
The accident, confirmed by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), occurred opposite Beechwood in the Shapati area inward Ajah.
According to the agency, the fatal collision involved a HOWO articulated truck with registration number KNN 313 YL and a fully loaded Suzuki commercial mini bus popularly known as a “Korope”.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the truck driver lost control of the vehicle while in motion. The truck reportedly veered across the carriageway and rammed into the oncoming commercial bus carrying passengers along the busy highway.
The impact of the crash led to the immediate death of four male passengers in the bus, while four other occupants — two men and two women — sustained severe fracture injuries after becoming trapped inside the mangled vehicle.
Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority quickly mobilised to the scene and carried out a rescue operation. With support from other emergency responders and passersby, the officials successfully extricated the trapped victims from the wreckage of the commercial bus.
The injured passengers were subsequently rushed to Hamon Royal Hospital for urgent medical attention.
Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased were evacuated and deposited at the Shency Hospital morgue with the assistance of an ambulance belonging to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Security operatives from the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Elemoro Police Division also cordoned off the accident scene to ensure orderliness and protect both rescue personnel and other road users during the emergency response.
Authorities said the driver of the truck and his motorboy fled the scene shortly after the crash.
Police have since assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances that led to the tragic collision.
Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the families of the deceased.
Bakare-Oki also prayed for the quick recovery of the injured victims currently receiving treatment.
He commended the collaborative efforts of emergency responders whose swift intervention helped rescue the trapped passengers.
The LASTMA boss further urged motorists, particularly drivers of articulated vehicles, to exercise caution on the roads and strictly adhere to traffic safety regulations to prevent avoidable accidents across the state.
