Container crushes 3 to death in Lagos

A trailer carrying a 40-foot container on Wednesday, lost control and fell around the Alakija area on Lagos-Badagry Expressway, killing three persons in the process.

The container damaged a mini commercial bus and seven motorcycles, popularly called “Okada.”

Michael Akindele, general manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), who confirmed the accident, said the agency received a distress call about the accident, which occurred at around 8:00am.

According to the Akindele, investigation conducted by the agency’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) at the scene of the incident, revealed that a trailer with 40ft container with registration number KRD 526 XP failed its brakes and ran into a commercial mini-bus with registration number Epe 972 XH, thereafter fell on Okada riders at the bus stop.

“The agency’s emergency response team at Cappa in conjunction with the Lagos State Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, LASEMA officials, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Ambulance Bus Service (LASAMBUS) and officials of the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC) were involved in the recovery operation.

“The commercial mini-van and seven commercial motorcycles (Okada) were badly damaged as a result of the accident. Five persons were involved in the accident. This comprises three dead male adult while two persons sustained severe injuries and had been taken to the hospital for treatment,” he said.

Akindele added that the Eko Distribution Company was quickly alerted to switch off the power supply in order to prevent any form of electrocution, as the tanker also damaged some of the company’s poles.

He said the agency’s heavy-duty equipment and other heavy duty equipment from the CCECC were used for the recovery process, and advised trailers owners and drivers to ensure proper checks and road-worthiness of their trucks and also drive within the approved speed limits.

He also advised Okada riders to adhere to the traffic law of the state in order to avoid loss of lives and properties, such as this.

An eyewitness said between the hours of 7.30am and 8.00am, the container fell on a bus carrying passengers at the Alakija bus stop, and immediately people ran away from the scene to avoid further injury.

The eyewitness said a relative of one of the bereaved had been crying since morning, saying the man just left the home for work that morning when the incident happened and he never knew that would be the end of the victim.