Metro

Many injured as fully loaded BRT bus overturn in Lagos

Published

4 days ago

August 23, 2024

Fenton

Many injured as fully loaded BRT bus overturn in Lagos

At least ten passengers who boarded a loaded Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicle were injured on Thursday when the bus overturned along the BRT lane at Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.

The incident, which happened immediately after the bus left the Iyana Ipaja BRT park, affected traffic considerably in the affected region.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) gave details of the accident on its X, formerly twitter handle, the bus had fallen under an abandoned pedestrian bridge foot on getting over the Iyana Ipaja bridge.

This impact resulted to rolling over of the bus to one side with passengers trapped inside the bus.

Emergency responders and LASTMA officials quickly arrived on the scene to take control of what had happened, with victims of the accident to receive treatment accordingly.

All 10 injured passengers were promptly treated, with the authorities confirming that their conditions were being monitored.

Efforts, however, have been put in place in order to restore the traffic and prevent the buildup of vehicles along the way.

Motorists and commuters have been advised to exercise caution and adhere to traffic directives as authorities work to resolve the situation.

The Head of Public Affairs Unit for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Nosa Okunbor, confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday.

The statement reads, “Following distress calls to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, via the 767/112 Toll-Free Emergency lines at 0635hrs, the Agency activated its Dolphin Response Team from the Igando Base.

“Upon arrival of the Dolphin Response Team at the incident scene, the LRT discovered that a fallen BRT Bus registration number BDG 390 XR, loaded to capacity at the above-mentioned location.

“Investigations revealed that the BRT Bus had taken off from Iyana Ipaja BRT Bus Terminal and headed to Obalende before the accident occurred while the BRT Bus driver was attempting to avoid hitting a pedestrian.

“A pedestrian hawking plantain from a wheelbarrow reportedly dashed across the BRT corridor, causing the BRT driver to swerve suddenly and in the process lost control of the bus, climbed the road divider, falling on its side.

“Fortunately, no lives were reported lost due to the incident. Though some passengers escaped unhurt, many of the BRT bus passengers reportedly sustained critical injuries and had been taken to an unknown hospital before arrival of the Dolphin Response Team at the incident scene.

“All necessary safety measures has been activated to safeguard responders and road users during the operation.

“Primary responders at the incident scene are collaborating to ensure a speedy recovery of the fallen BRT bus and restoration of normalcy to the BRT corridor.

“The fallen BRT bus has been lifted upright and towed off to Moshalashi Police Station near Alimosho roundabout with the Tow Truck provided by the officials of NPF at the incident scene.”