Passenger Dies After Jumping From Moving Bus in Lagos

A passenger has died after jumping from a moving commercial bus which reportedly careered into a median pole at Ogunlana Junction, inward Ojuelegba, Surulere, Lagos.

The incident involved a Volkswagen commercial bus with registration number LND 130 XR.

According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority ( LASTMA), preliminary reports indicated that the driver of the bus was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and had been driving recklessly shortly before the crash.

LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed the accident, saying that the erratic movement of the vehicle reportedly forced motorists approaching from behind to exercise caution to avoid colliding with it.

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He disclosed that amid the confusion, a male passenger, apparently attempting to escape from the uncontrolled vehicle, reportedly jumped from the moving bus and sustained serious injuries after hitting the ground.

He later succumbed to the injuries sustained in the incident.

He stated that LASTMA officials conducting routine traffic surveillance along the Ojuelegba axis quickly mobilised to the scene after sighting the crash.

“The officers secured the accident scene, managed traffic and removed the damaged vehicle and remains of the deceased from the carriageway, preventing the possibility of a secondary collision.

“Security personnel from the Area C Police Division, Ojuelegba, provided security cover at the scene, while officials of the State Emergency Management Agency evacuated the remains of the deceased,” he added.

Bakare-Oki, described the incident as another reminder of the dangers associated with driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless motoring and the use of mechanically defective vehicles.

Bakare-Oki urged commercial and private motorists to conduct comprehensive mechanical inspections of their vehicles before embarking on journeys, particularly the braking system, tyres, steering mechanism and other critical safety components.

He commiserated with the family of the deceased and reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to prompt response to road crashes, effective traffic management and rapid clearance of accident scenes.

The LASTMA boss also urged motorists and other road users to report traffic-related incidents, accidents, vehicular breakdowns and other obstructions to the agency through its toll-free short code 3367.