Lagos dispatch rider dies in collision with moving train

By Chiazo Ogbolu

A speeding dispatch rider attempt to hastily manoeuvre across the railway track in a bid to access the GRA axis of Ikeja, Lagos State resulted in his death on Thursday as he collided with a moving train.

This was confirmed in a statement by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

In the statement, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the dispatch rider, who was on a motorcycle with registration number AGL 179 QR, was killed while trying to cross the PWD Railway Level Crossing in Ikeja.

“Preliminary investigations conducted by security personnel at the scene revealed that the dispatch rider, reportedly travelling at excessive speed, attempted to hastily manoeuvre across the railway track in a bid to access the GRA axis of Ikeja.

“In the process, he collided with an oncoming train. The impact proved fatal, as the rider died instantly, while the train continued its movement along the track,” he said.

He said that LASTMA personnel, being the first respondents, promptly cordoned off the scene of the incident to avert secondary mishaps and ensure the free flow of vehicular movement within the area.

He added that this was done with support from security personnel from Shogunle Police Division.

“The State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) was immediately contacted and arrived at the scene to evacuate the remains of the deceased for appropriate action,” he said.

Bakare-Oki expressed profound sympathy to the bereaved family, describing the incident as a distressing reminder of the dire consequences of impatience and disregard for traffic safety rules, particularly at railway level crossings.

He appealed to all dispatch riders and the motoring public to exercise utmost caution, patience, and discipline while on the road — especially around railway intersections.

He emphasised the importance of strict compliance with all traffic signals and government-installed warning signs, not only across Lagos State but throughout the federation, to prevent avoidable road tragedies.

The general manager further reaffirmed LASTMA’s unwavering commitment to continuous public enlightenment, proactive enforcement, and safety advocacy in its mission to ensure sanity, discipline, and orderliness across the Lagos metropolis.

(NAN)