A tragic day unfolded on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Tuesday as two separate accidents at the Saapade and Mowe sections resulted in the death of a motorboy and left seven others injured. The incidents occurred during the early hours of the day, with both crashes attributed to mechanical failures and unsafe driving practices.
Saapade Accident: Brake Failure Causes Collision
The first accident occurred at the Saapade section of the expressway near Ode-Remo and involved a Mack truck and a Nissan bus. Seni Ogunyemi, Commandant General of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), reported that the crash resulted from the Mack truck’s brake failure. The loss of control led to a collision with the bus.
Ogunyemi noted that the accident involved 21 occupants, including 17 adults and four children. Among the injured were five females and a male child, who were transported to a nearby hospital by Good Samaritans before emergency responders arrived.
“Serious RTA/RTC at Saapade Inbound Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ode-Remo, involved a Mack truck with number plate KSF 960 XT and a Nissan bus with number plate JJJ 594 YC,” Ogunyemi said.
He added that the truck’s brake failure was confirmed by eyewitness accounts, and six people, including women and a child, sustained injuries requiring urgent medical attention.
Mowe Accident: Speeding and Stationary Truck Lead to Tragedy
The second accident occurred in the Mowe area, where a speeding Benz truck collided with a stationary Howo truck. According to Ogunyemi, the Howo truck was parked on the service lane when the Benz truck lost control and rammed into it.
The crash claimed the life of the motorboy, who was trapped in the vehicle, while another adult male sustained injuries. The accident involved four adult males in total.
“According to an eyewitness, the Howo truck parked at the service lane, while the driver of the Benz truck hit it from the rear due to excessive speed coupled with a loss of control, which led to the death of the motorboy,” Ogunyemi explained.
The driver of the stationary truck reportedly attempted to flee the scene by hiding his vehicle near AIM Company. However, police operatives located the truck and brought it back to the crash site for investigation.
Emergency Response and Recovery Efforts
Ogunyemi highlighted the collaborative efforts of TRACE, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), police operatives, and local Good Samaritans in rescuing the injured and recovering the remains of the deceased motorboy.
“The remains of the Benz truck motorboy were removed by TRACE, FRSC, police operatives, and some Good Samaritans and handed over to the family,” Ogunyemi concluded.
A Call for Safer Driving Practices
The incidents underscore the critical importance of vehicle maintenance and adherence to safe driving practices. Ogunyemi reiterated the need for drivers to ensure their vehicles are in good working condition and to exercise caution while driving, particularly on busy highways like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
He urged motorists to avoid excessive speeding and emphasized the dangers of parking vehicles improperly on highways. Ogunyemi also reminded drivers to report mechanical faults promptly and seek professional assistance to prevent avoidable accidents.
A Sobering Reminder
Tuesday’s accidents serve as a grim reminder of the perils of road travel in Nigeria and the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures. Authorities continue to investigate the incidents to determine any further factors contributing to the crashes and to hold responsible parties accountable. Meanwhile, the families of the victims face the difficult task of dealing with the aftermath of these tragic events.
