NEWS
How 2 children, 5 others were burnt to death in Lagos-Ibadan highway accident
Tragedy struck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on a quiet Sunday morning, as a bus carrying 22 passengers crashed and burst into flames.
The aftermath was nothing short of horrific, with seven lives lost, including two innocent children, and 14 others left injured.
As the news spread, families of the deceased were left reeling in shock and disbelief. The pain of losing a loved one is never easy to bear, but to lose them in such a sudden and violent manner is simply unbearable.
The Federal Road Safety Corps, who responded to the scene of the accident, confirmed that the crash was a result of excessive speed and brake failure, which caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The bus then crashed and burst into flames, leaving some of its occupants trapped and unable to escape.
The scene of the accident was one of chaos and destruction, with the bus reduced to a smoldering heap of metal. The flames that had engulfed the bus had left a trail of devastation in their wake, leaving families and loved ones of the victims struggling to come to terms with their loss.
The injured were quickly taken to the Lagos State Accident Emergency Centre, but for the families of those who lost their lives, there was no respite from their pain and suffering. Their loved ones were gone, leaving behind a void that would never be filled.
As the days passed, the reality of the tragedy began to sink in. Seven lives had been lost in the blink of an eye, leaving behind grieving families and a community in mourning. The victims, who had set out on what should have been a routine journey, had instead met their untimely end in a fiery inferno.
According to data from the Federal Road Safety Corps, there were a total of 617 road accidents on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in 2020 alone, resulting in 308 deaths and 1,507 injuries. This represents a significant increase from the previous year, with 544 accidents, 267 deaths, and 1,469 injuries reported in 2019.
One of the major causes of these accidents is the heavy traffic on the highway, which often leads to congestion and delays. This, in turn, leads to impatient drivers who may take unnecessary risks to try and get ahead, often leading to accidents.
Another contributing factor is the poor state of the road infrastructure, with many sections of the highway in need of repair and maintenance. This can lead to hazardous conditions for drivers, particularly during heavy rainfall when the road becomes slippery and difficult to navigate.
In addition, many drivers on the highway may not have the necessary training or qualifications to operate their vehicles safely, leading to a higher risk of accidents.
The recurring accidents on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway are a cause for concern, not just for the families of those who have lost their lives, but for all road users. It is imperative that steps are taken to address the root causes of these accidents, including improvements to road infrastructure, better training for drivers, and more effective traffic management. Only then can we hope to prevent further loss of life on this vital highway.