The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) today successfully orchestrated a rapid and highly coordinated rescue operation following a devastating multi-vehicle road traffic accident that occurred along the Motorway inward Toll-Gate corridor within the Ogudu-Alapere axis of Lagos State.
The harrowing incident involved a heavily laden 12-tyre DAF articulated truck and a commercial Volkswagen T4 bus (AA 60 YF).
Preliminary security investigations revealed that the commercial bus somersaulted following a violent impact, leaving both its driver and a passenger trapped within the severely mangled wreckage, while simultaneously causing a major obstruction along the affected carriageway.
LASTMA operatives, who were on routine traffic surveillance patrol within the Toll-Gate corridor, swiftly responded to the emergency and immediately activated comprehensive incident-management and rescue protocols aimed at preserving lives, preventing secondary collisions and restoring the orderly flow of vehicular movement along the route.
Demonstrating remarkable courage, operational proficiency and unwavering dedication to duty, LASTMA personnel, with invaluable support from other emergency response agencies, successfully extricated the trapped victims from the crumpled vehicle and facilitated their immediate evacuation for urgent medical attention by officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS).
The accident scene was promptly cordoned off and secured to guarantee the safety of emergency responders, rescue personnel and other road users traversing the corridor during the operation.
Officers and men of the Ketu Division of the Nigeria Police Force provided critical security reinforcement throughout the rescue exercise, ensuring seamless coordination and effective crowd management at the scene.
In a concerted effort to restore normalcy, the damaged vehicles were evacuated from the roadway, while LASTMA traffic officers implemented strategic traffic-control and diversionary measures to ease the severe congestion triggered by the incident and mitigate the resultant traffic backlog within the axis.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki commended the gallantry, exceptional responsiveness and operational dexterity exhibited by Officers at the scene.
He noted that the successful rescue operation that saved the lives of the two victims further exemplifies the Agency's enduring commitment to the preservation of human lives, enhancement of public safety and effective traffic management across Lagos State.
Mr. Bakare-Oki further admonished motorists, particularly operators of articulated vehicles and commercial transport services, to cultivate a culture of defensive driving, maintain uncompromising compliance with extant traffic regulations and ensure the optimum mechanical condition of their vehicles before embarking on any journey.
He reiterated that road safety remains a collective responsibility and urged all road users to exercise vigilance, patience and discipline while navigating the State's highways and arterial roads.
Adebayo Taofiq
Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA
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