ONE DEAD, WITH SIX OTHERS INJURED AT NEW CASTLE BUS STOP, GBAGADA LAGOS, AS LASTMA RESTORED TRAFFIC FLOW AROUND THE AXIS WITH SWIFT EMERGENCY RESPONSE

By Olayiwiola Ibrahim // Following a tragic road accident around Lagos State Metropolitan Area, which occurred at New Castle Bus Stop inward Gbagada, Oworonshoki- Apapa Expressway, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority LASTMA, has made a significant effort in control of traffic congestion with a swift emergency response on the accident scene.

The Collision involves a Volkswagen commercial bus with plate number LSD 654 XY, who ran into roadside culvert along the corridor resulting to one female passenger forcefully ejected from the vehicle with six others injured with multiple fractures.

In a tragic turn of events, an oncoming articulated trailer approaching the scene was unable to forestall the sudden occurrence and consequently ran over the passenger who had fallen on the roadway, resulting in her immediate death.

While Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority monitoring vehicular movements around the Gbagada axis responded with exceptional promptitude and professional dexterity by swiftly activating a comprehensive emergency traffic management protocol around the accident corridor.

In order to safeguard other motorists and forestall the possibility of a secondary crash, LASTMA officials temporarily cordoned off the entire expressway to enable the seamless evacuation of the deceased, the six injured passengers and the wreckage of the Volkswagen commercial bus involved in the lone fatal accident.

Six other occupants of the commercial vehicle, including the driver sustained varying degrees of severe injuries during the unfortunate incident, while the driver of the articulated trailer reportedly fled the scene without stopping.

Security men from the Pedro Police Division promptly arrived at the scene to provide vital security reinforcement for traffic management officials and emergency responders while maintaining orderliness around the accident vicinity.

In furtherance of coordinated emergency rescue operations, officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) swiftly evacuated the six seriously injured victims including the driver who reportedly sustained a fractured leg and conveyed them to a nearby medical facility for immediate treatment.

Similarly, personnel of the Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) respectfully evacuated the remains of the deceased female passenger from the accident scene.

Following the successful evacuation exercise, LASTMA operatives meticulously cleared all obstructions along the corridor and subsequently restored normal vehicular movement on the main carriageway of the Expressway.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki conveyed his profound condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased passenger, praying that Almighty God grants them the fortitude to bear the painful and irreparable loss.

He also extended heartfelt wishes for the swift and full recovery of the six injured passengers currently receiving medical attention.

The General Manager further reaffirmed the Authority’s unwavering commitment to sustained on-going public enlightenment campaigns aimed at promoting road safety consciousness across the State.

He emphasized the imperative responsibility of vehicle owners and commercial transport operators to ensure that their vehicles remain in optimal mechanical condition particularly the braking system before embarking on any journey within or outside Lagos State.

According to him, strict adherence to routine vehicle maintenance remains an indispensable safeguard against preventable road traffic accidents and a critical measure for the preservation of human lives on our highways.