A motor boy has died after separate multiple-vehicle collisions on Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway triggered a massive traffic gridlock and prompted a coordinated emergency response by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other agencies.
According to a press release by LASTMA, the crashes happened in the early hours of Friday on Kara Bridge inward Mowe-Ibafo. The incident caused severe traffic congestion stretching from Kara Bridge through Berger to Otedola Bridge, with spill-over to the Isheri-Olowora and Ogunnusi corridors.
LASTMA said preliminary security investigations showed the crash involved three articulated trucks, two Mitsubishi Canter trucks, one Toyota Sienna and a separately overturned articulated trailer carrying chemical substances. The agency said the overturned trailer blocked part of the bridge and is believed to have triggered the chain-reaction collision.
The agency said, “Regrettably, a motor boy who became trapped during the initial incident around the Opic axis succumbed to his injuries despite the prompt intervention of emergency responders.”
It added that the victim’s remains had been evacuated in line with established emergency response procedures.
LASTMA said the scale of the incident meant officials could not immediately identify the affected vehicles because emergency teams focused first on rescuing victims, evacuating casualties and clearing the crash scene.
The agency said its personnel worked with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), officers of the Nigeria Police Force from Adigboluja Police Station and heavy-duty towing operators to coordinate rescue operations, recover damaged vehicles and restore traffic flow.
To ease congestion, LASTMA introduced temporary traffic diversion measures by allowing controlled one-way movement from Berger towards Opic Turning while recovery operations continued.
The agency said the traffic backlog remained extensive, stretching from Kara Bridge to Otedola Bridge, while motorists using the Isheri-Olowora and Ogunnusi corridors also experienced significant delays.
LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed sympathy to the victim’s family and restated the agency’s commitment to emergency response and traffic management.
He also advised articulated vehicle operators and other motorists to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before travelling, maintain safe following distances and avoid reckless driving.
LASTMA urged motorists to remain calm, cooperate with traffic officials and use alternative routes until normal traffic flow is fully restored.
The agency also encouraged members of the public to use its toll-free emergency short code, 3367, to report road crashes, broken-down vehicles, traffic obstructions and other emergencies requiring immediate intervention.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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