Five Vehicles Involved in Multiple Crash as Traffic Backs Up to Toll Gate
Traffic congestion on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway worsened on Wednesday following a multiple-vehicle crash at Otedola, shortly before the bridge inward Berger.
Three trucks and two other vehicles were involved in the accident. No death was recorded, although some people sustained injuries.
One victim trapped inside a truck was rescued through a joint operation involving the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Police, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Lagos State Ambulance Service.
LASTMA said its officers were deployed for rescue, evacuation and traffic control, adding that the crash caused a traffic backlog stretching to the Toll Gate.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said its response team arrived at the scene at 1:28 p.m., 10 minutes after receiving a distress call.
According to the agency, the vehicles involved included a containerised truck, a loaded trailer, a truck carrying a generator, a white Honda and a Lexus.
LASEMA said preliminary findings indicated that the containerised truck developed a mechanical fault while in motion, lost control and rammed into three vehicles before another truck crashed into them from behind.
The agency said all trapped victims were rescued alive and given first aid at the scene before being taken to the Trauma Centre for further treatment.
Recovery operations were ongoing as towing trucks and a crane were deployed to remove the damaged vehicles and restore traffic flow.
The latest crash has compounded severe congestion on the expressway following a separate multiple-vehicle accident at Kara Bridge on Tuesday and ongoing repairs to the bridge’s expansion joints.
The Tuesday crash involved seven vehicles after a 40-foot container-laden truck reportedly developed a mechanical fault and crashed into other vehicles.
The resulting gridlock stretched beyond the Long Bridge towards Magboro and into Lagos, leaving motorists and commuters stranded for hours.
The Federal Government began repairs on the Kara Bridge expansion joints on September 8, reducing available road space and further putting pressure on the busy corridor.
Authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution and cooperate with traffic management personnel as recovery and traffic-control operations continue.