An articulated truck has reportedly crushed three people to death, including a toddler and two adults, at the Toll-Gate section of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
The spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed that the accident happened at about 2 p.m.
According to Akinbiyi, six other individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries in the crash, which involved a total of 15 people.
He explained that eyewitnesses said the articulated truck experienced brake failure before ploughing into several vehicles and passengers waiting at the bus stop to board a bus.
He said, “A fatal road traffic accident occurred at the Toll-Gate along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. It involved a white Howo Sino truck with number plate T4995LA, two yellow commercial buses with number plates SMK 199YK and AGL394YA, an LT commercial bus with number plate FKJ 360YH, and two Suzuki yellow buses with number plates 98YL and KSF 23YA.
“According to eyewitness accounts, the Howo truck suffered brake failure, subsequently crushing victims who were attempting to board a bus and damaging several vehicles in its path.”
Akinbiyi added that three victims died in the accident, while six others suffered different levels of injuries.
“Fifteen people were involved; six commuters were injured while three others, a toddler and two adults, died,” he added.
While extending condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, the TRACE spokesperson urged owners of articulated vehicles to ensure proper maintenance before putting them on the road.
“Articulated vehicle drivers are again charged to ensure proper maintenance of their vehicles as and when due in view of their attendant challenges.
“Moreover, traders who display their wares on walkways and roadsides are also advised to remove them in view of the consequences,” Akinbiyi said.
Barely two weeks earlier, six people died in a similar crash at the same toll gate.
After that incident, officials of the Ogun State Government who visited the location directed that traders operating around the bus stop be removed.
