LASTMA confirms one death, injuries in BRT, bus accident

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed the death of one person while others suffered injuries in an accident between government-owned Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) and commercial vehicle.

“An accident at Ifako inwards Ogudu Bridge involving a BRT Bus and a commercial Bus. One Casualty on ground with others injured,” LASTMA tweeted.

Also in a video clip shared on LASTMA’s Twitter account, the yellow commercial bus, popularly known as ‘Danfo’ appeared to have somersaulted after clashing with the BRT vehicle.

The BRT bus went up in flames, compounding the traffic situation along the axis.

Survivors were seen sitting on the pedestrian footpath while the LASTMA officials were coordinating the traffic.

LASTMA said it had contacted the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and Lagos State Medical Emergencies (LASAMBUS) for assistance while its officers were managing events at the accident scene.

The accident grounded vehicular movement and caused snake-like gridlock along the ever-busy axis connecting the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

LASTMA spokesman Adebayo Taofiq blamed the accident on overspeeding by the buses.

“The accident involved a BRT bus and two commercial buses. One of the drivers of the commercial buses died on the spot. There are passengers with minor injuries,” Taofiq said.

In another development, operatives of LASTMA and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Sector Command, on Tuesday agreed to form a joint task force with other professional traffic managers on the reduction of accidents particularly truck crashes on Lagos Roads.

General Manager, LASTMA, Bolaji Oreagba, endorsed the proposed task force during a courtesy call by the new Sector Commander FRSC Lagos, Corps Commander Babatunde Farinloye, and his team to LASTMA Headquarters at Oshodi, Lagos.