2 rescued from tanker inferno, 4 injured in Otedola Bridge crashes

Two persons were rescued from a raging inferno after a diesel-laden tanker plunged off Otedola Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, while four passengers sustained severe injuries in a separate multiple-vehicle collision in the same area.

The tanker reportedly plunged from the bridge yesterday and burst into flames beneath it, triggering panic among motorists and other road users.

The two victims, believed to be the tanker driver and his motor boy, sustained severe burns and were rescued by emergency responders, including operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

According to witnesses, the driver lost control of the tanker, causing it to plunge beneath the bridge before bursting into flames.

The Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the incident in a statement, saying the agency’s emergency response team, working with other relevant agencies, swiftly mobilised to the scene and rescued the two victims.

He said the injured men were evacuated by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency’s Rescue Unit (LRU) to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre at the Toll Gate for immediate medical attention.

Operatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service battled the inferno to prevent it from spreading and causing further casualties or damage to nearby infrastructure.

Other agencies involved in the rescue and containment operations included the LRU, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency and personnel of the Alausa Police Division.

Taofiq said the coordinated intervention of the agencies underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration and rapid emergency response in managing dangerous road incidents.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commended the emergency responders for their promptness and professionalism, noting that their intervention facilitated the rescue and evacuation of the injured victims.

He wished the victims a speedy recovery and reiterated the agency’s commitment to effective traffic management, prompt incident response and the coordination of emergency operations across Lagos State.

Bakare-Oki also urged motorists, particularly operators of heavy-duty and articulated vehicles, to carry out regular mechanical inspections, comply with safety standards and observe responsible driving practices to prevent avoidable road disasters.

In a related development, four passengers sustained severe injuries in a multiple-vehicle collision at Otedola, inward Berger, around Jubilee Gate, Lagos State.

The accident, which occurred during the morning rush hour, involved a Toyota Highlander and a Mazda commercial bus. The collision left four passengers with serious injuries, including fractures.

Taofiq said LASTMA operatives, working with officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), promptly mobilised to the scene, rescued the victims and introduced traffic control measures to ease the situation.

The injured passengers were extricated from the wreckage and conveyed by LASAMBUS personnel to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre at the Toll Gate for treatment.

He said the prompt intervention of LASTMA operatives helped prevent a possible secondary collision on the busy transport corridor, where traffic volume was high during the morning rush hour.

Personnel of the Isheri Police Division also provided security support during the rescue and recovery operations.

As part of the investigation into the collision, LASTMA operatives apprehended the two drivers involved and handed them over to the police for investigation and possible prosecution. The vehicles were also handed over to the appropriate security authorities for further investigation.

Bakare-Oki commended LASTMA operatives, FRSC personnel, LASAMBUS officials and the police for their prompt response and cooperation in rescuing the injured passengers and managing the incident.

He stressed that effective emergency response depended on prompt mobilisation, operational preparedness and collaboration among relevant agencies, particularly along busy roads where delays could worsen the consequences of accidents.

The LASTMA general manager urged motorists to obey traffic regulations, manage their speed and remain attentive while driving, warning that preventable crashes continued to pose a threat to lives, public safety and the smooth movement of people and goods.

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening emergency response mechanisms, intensifying traffic surveillance and sustaining enforcement operations to safeguard lives and ensure orderly vehicular movement across Lagos State.

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