15th July, 2023
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
A diesel tanker driver has crushed a female egg hawker to death on Otedola Bridge, Lagos, after suffering brake failure on Saturday.
The incident reportedly occurred around 3:20pm.
The tanker also rammed into three vehicles, damaging them substantially.
Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said on arrival at the scene of the accident, it was discovered that a tanker fully laden with 60,000 litres of diesel was found to have crushed a female pedestrian (hawker) on Otedola Bridge inward Berger.
“Further Investigation conducted by the LRT revealed that the articulated truck with registration number GME 483XD suffered a mechanical fault (brake failure) and rammed into other ongoing vehicles.
The vehicles are: Suzuki with registration number EPE 302HR, a Toyota Camry, with registration number MUS242HM and Avalolon AYE 453SF damaging the three vehicles in the process.
He said the LRT, alongside NPF, LASAMBUS, FRSC, LASTMA officials and RRS were currently on ground to salvage the situation.
There have been several accidents on Otedola Bridge leading to the death of several people.
On 28 June, 2018, a fire accident occurred on the Otedola Bridge at the Lagos end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where a tanker lorry fully loaded with petroleum product fell, leaked and exploded.
The massive fire at the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway broke out after the explosion of a petroleum filled tanker lorry leading to the transfer of flames to other vehicles approaching the lorry on the busy road.
The Nigerian Federal Road Safety Corps tweeted that night, “A total of nine persons have been confirmed dead as a result of the incident.” The Lagos State Government reported the number had risen to twelve on July 2.
The Federal Road Safety Corps announced that at least 54 vehicles were burnt with the tanker. A number of eyewitnesses, nearby residents and public figures believe that the reports on the economic loss and casualties are distorted by government and media.