Fatal Third Mainland Bridge Accident: One Dead, Four Injured

Tragic Third Mainland Bridge accident claims one life and injures four others. Learn how rescue efforts and safety measures can prevent similar incidents.

A tragic accident involving a J5 Ford bus and a Mercedes truck occurred at Ilubirin, heading toward Sura, on the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge early Monday morning.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed that the crash resulted in one fatality and left four others injured.

Adebayo Taofiq, LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, shared details in a statement on X.com (formerly Twitter), revealing that rescue efforts were led by General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki.

The statement read:
“This morning, a serious collision involving a J5 Ford bus (FKJ 724 YC) and a Mercedes truck (FKJ 746 YC) occurred at Ilubirin, inward Sura, on the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge. The incident claimed one life and left a total of five individuals affected.”

LASTMA officials, supported by bystanders, swiftly began rescue operations. Four victims were extricated from the vehicles, three of whom survived. Sadly, one individual trapped in the J5 Ford bus, which was loaded with pepper and other perishable goods, succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.

The survivors were rushed to Lagos Island’s General Hospital for immediate medical treatment.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the J5 Ford bus suffered a brake failure while speeding, leading to a collision with the Mercedes truck.

Emergency teams, including those from the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigerian Police Force, joined LASTMA in managing the aftermath.

The accident caused significant traffic congestion, stretching from the site to the Unilag waterfront. However, LASTMA’s team worked quickly to clear the wreckage, remove the perishable goods, and restore normal traffic flow.

LASTMA General Manager Bakare-Oki extended his condolences to the deceased’s family and stressed the importance of adhering to road safety measures, especially during the festive season. He urged drivers, particularly those handling heavy-duty vehicles, to avoid speeding and ensure their vehicles are in excellent condition before embarking on journeys.