Two persons have been confirmed dead while three others sustained critical injuries following a multiple-vehicle collision involving a truck in Lagos.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its General Manager, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki.
According to the statement, the accident occurred at Iyana Meiran inward Meiran Road, near the Primary Health Centre (PHC), Meiran.
Bakare-Oki said preliminary findings showed that a Dangote Silo Mixer Truck, allegedly speeding, suffered brake failure, lost control and crashed into a commercial mini-bus, popularly known as korope, and four tricycles.
The affected vehicles included a mini-bus with registration number EPP 541 YF and tricycles with registration numbers KTU 360 QN, LND 444 QL, LSR 444 QN and EKY 122 QP.
He added that the driver of the truck reportedly fled the scene immediately after the crash.
“The violent impact led to extensive destruction, trapping commuters inside mangled vehicles and twisted wreckage,” the statement said.
LASTMA officials were promptly deployed to the scene and, with the assistance of members of the public, rescued three severely injured victims who were trapped in the wreckage.
To prevent secondary accidents, the authority cordoned off the area and implemented traffic diversion and control measures.
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Security operatives from the Meiran Police Division were also alerted, with the Divisional Police Officer leading officers to the scene to provide security during rescue and recovery operations.
The injured victims were taken to Mobonke Hospital on Meiran Road for urgent medical attention, while the bodies of the two deceased persons were handed over to the police for onward evacuation.
Bakare-Oki urged motorists to comply with speed limits and ensure proper vehicle maintenance, warning that speeding and mechanical failure remain major causes of fatal road accidents.
He expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured victims a speedy recovery.