A tragic incident occurred in the Surulere area of Lagos, Nigeria, when a passenger died after jumping from a moving commercial bus. The bus, a Volkswagen with registration number LND 130 XR, crashed into a median pole at Ogunlana Junction, inward Ojuelegba. According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the driver of the bus was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and had been driving recklessly before the crash.
The incident was reported by LASTMA's Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq. Preliminary security reports indicated that motorists approaching from the rear exercised caution to avoid a collision with the erratically driven vehicle. In the ensuing chaos, a male passenger attempted to escape from the uncontrolled moving vehicle and jumped out of the bus. He sustained grievous injuries upon impact with the ground and tragically succumbed to the injuries.
LASTMA personnel swiftly mobilized to the scene upon sighting the crash and instituted emergency traffic management measures. They secured the accident scene, removed the deceased passenger, and the severely damaged vehicle from the carriageway, averting the threat of a possible secondary collision. Security personnel from the Area C Police Division, Ojuelegba, provided security cover at the scene, while officials of the State Emergency Management Agency evacuated the remains of the deceased passenger.
The incident highlights the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless motoring. LASTMA said the incident was another reminder of the potentially irreversible consequences of such actions. The agency urged motorists to exercise caution and undertake comprehensive mechanical inspections of their vehicles before embarking on every journey.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commiserated with the bereaved family of the deceased passenger. He reaffirmed the agency's commitment to prompt incident response, effective traffic management, expeditious accident-scene clearance, and the preservation of lives on Lagos roads. Bakare-Oki also urged members of the motoring public to report traffic-related incidents and obstructions to the agency through the LASTMA toll-free short code, 3367.
The incident has raised concerns about road safety in Lagos. LASTMA has been working to improve traffic management and reduce accidents on Lagos roads. The agency has impounded 84 vehicles and overcome resistance and attacks in its efforts to enforce traffic laws.
The Lagos State government has been urged to take steps to address the issue of drunk driving and reckless motoring. The incident is a reminder of the need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and improved road safety measures. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Key points
- A passenger died after jumping from a moving bus that crashed into a median pole in Lagos, Nigeria.
- The driver of the bus was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and had been driving recklessly before the crash.
- LASTMA has urged motorists to exercise caution and undertake comprehensive mechanical inspections of their vehicles before embarking on every journey.
