One Killed, Two Injured In Separate Crashes On Kara Bridge As FRSC Urges Motorists To Use Alternative Routes
OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Sector Command, has advised motorists to use alternative routes following two separate road crashes on the Kara Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which left one person dead and two others injured in the early hours of Friday.
According to the FRSC, the first crash occurred at about 12:05 a.m. on the outbound carriageway towards Ibadan and involved five articulated trucks and a Toyota Sienna bus.
Preliminary investigations attributed the crash to excessive speed and loss of vehicle control.
The Corps said seven adult males were involved in the collision, with one person confirmed dead, another sustaining injuries and five others escaping unhurt.
It added that rescue workers were yet to recover the body of the deceased because it remained trapped beneath one of the heavily loaded trucks, requiring the deployment of heavy-duty recovery equipment.
While emergency responders were still carrying out rescue and recovery operations, a second crash occurred at about 3:15 a.m. on the inbound carriageway towards Lagos.
The lone crash involved a Mazda commercial bus and was attributed to brake failure.
The bus driver sustained serious injuries and was rescued by FRSC personnel before being taken to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre for treatment.
The FRSC said its rescue teams, working alongside the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other emergency responders, were continuing efforts to remove the damaged vehicles, recover the trapped victim, clear the obstruction and restore normal traffic flow on the expressway.
Lagos Sector Commander, Corps Commander Kehinde Ganiyu Hamzat, expressed sympathy to the families of the victims and appealed to motorists travelling along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to remain patient, exercise caution and cooperate with traffic management officials at the scene.
He advised motorists to avoid the Kara-Ojodu Berger corridor where possible until recovery operations are completed.
According to the command, motorists travelling from Lagos towards Ibadan are advised to divert through the Ikorodu-Sagamu route, while those heading into Lagos should consider using the Lekki-Epe Expressway or the Ikorodu-Sagamu Expressway as alternative entry routes.
The FRSC also urged motorists, particularly drivers of articulated vehicles and commercial buses, to ensure their vehicles are mechanically roadworthy before embarking on journeys, with special attention given to braking systems.
The Corps further cautioned against unnecessary night travel, especially during periods of poor visibility caused by darkness, rainfall or fog, advising drivers to reduce speed, maintain safe following distances, avoid dangerous overtaking and take adequate rest to prevent fatigue-related crashes.
The FRSC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety of all road users and said it would continue collaborating with relevant emergency and traffic management agencies to restore normalcy on the affected corridor as quickly as possible.
