Two dispatch riders have lost their lives after two fully loaded Mack Trucks collided on Eko Bridge, Lagos — also resulting to severe traffic gridlock on the bridge.
The tragic incident which happened on Sunday morning has caused motorists to panic and seek alternative routes as the lifeless bodies of the riders were left on the road.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Olalekan Bakare-Oki, who confirmed the incident disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the accident occured as one of the driver of one of the articulated trucks was speeding excessively and reportedly dozing off.
According to Bakare-Oki, the speeding driver lost control and ran into another truck ahead, triggering a violent collision.
He narrated that the collision led to the dislodgement of a 20-foot container from one of the trucks, which subsequently crushed the two unsuspecting dispatch riders navigating the route at the time.
Further revealing that the drivers of the collided trucks had fled the scene for fear of mob attack, Bakare-Oki described the collision as ‘catastrophic’.
“Both victims were confirmed dead at the scene.
“Swift intervention by LASTMA Officers, who were on routine traffic monitoring beneath the Eko Bridge, ensured the rescue of one severely injured truck driver. He was transported to a nearby hospital via a Lagos State Government ambulance for urgent medical attention.
“However, the two other truck drivers fled the scene, reportedly fearing mob action.
“To prevent further incidents and ensure public safety, LASTMA personnel cordoned off the affected part of the bridge and redirected traffic through the Costain Roundabout inward to Alaka en-route Stadium,” he said.
However, Bakare-Oki promised that investigations are underway to trace and apprehend the fleeing drivers.
