Tragedy occured on the newly rehabilitated Third Mainland Bridge on Wednesday, when a full- loaded commercial bus, an LRT, hit the rail with two passengers feared dead as they plunged into the lagoon, while others were rescued.
This occurred on a day Muslim faithful in Nigeria in general and Lagos, in particular, joined the rest of their counterparts in celebrating the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Eid-el-fitri.
According to an eyewitness, who simply identified himself as Akinola Adeniyi, the tragedy occurred at around 11.30 am, when the commercial bus with passengers, from Iyana-Oworo en-route Lagos Island, suddenly hit the railing guiding the bridge.
Adeniyi attributed the cause of the accident to excessive speeding on the part of the driver of the ill-fated vehicle.
Rescue team, including men of the Lagos State Emergency Management LASEMA, the Police, among others, raced to the scene for rescue mission.
The incident led to a traffic gridlock on the Third Mainland Bridge, inward Lagos Island.
Director, Public Affairs of Lagos State Traffic Management Authourity, LASTMA, Taofik Adebayo, who confirmed the incident, added that LASTMA men, in collaboration with other rescue team, particularly, Marine Police, are currently carrying out rescue mission.
He said the seriously injured and the rescued 18 passengers were immediately taken to hospital for treatment.
According to reports, preliminary investigations revealed that a fully loaded LT Commercial Bus, with registration FKJ 872 YA carrying 20 passengers, while on a high speed, lost control as a result of a brake failure and was about to fall inside the lagoon before it was stopped by the side rail of the 3rd Mainland Bridge.
Adebayo added that while the truck driver ran away after the accident, policemen from Adeniji Adele Police Station provided security backup during the rescue of the 18 injured passengers by LASTMA.
READ ALSO: Eid-Eid-el-Fitri: Abiodun harps on peace, love, understanding
One LASTMA Alpha, Zone 1 Lagos Island, Ojo-Oniyun Olamide, who led the recovery operations, confirmed that his team immediately evacuated the LT commercial bus for an unhindered free vehicular movement inward Adeniji Adele area of Lagos Island.
“Meanwhile, the Marine rescue team are already inside the lagoon on search and rescue mission to see if any of those passengers that fell inside the lagoon could be rescued.
General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, however, warned the motoring public to avoid over speeding and ensure that their vehicles are properly checked including the braking system before embarking on any journey within or outside the state.
