A yet-to-be-identified motor boy has died following a multiple-vehicle crash on Kara Bridge inward Mowe-Ibafo, triggering a major emergency response involving the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other agencies.
The crash, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, caused severe traffic congestion stretching from Kara Bridge through Berger to Otedola Bridge, with spill-over delays along the Isheri-Olowora and Ogunnusi corridors.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the accident involved three articulated trucks, two Mitsubishi Canter (Cabstar) trucks, a Toyota Sienna, and a separate articulated trailer carrying chemical substances that overturned on the bridge.
As learnt, the obstruction caused by the overturned trailer is believed to have precipitated the catastrophic chain-reaction collision.
According to a statement issued by LASTMA, the motor boy became trapped during the initial incident around the Opic axis and later died despite the swift intervention of emergency responders. His body has since been evacuated.
To ease the resulting gridlock, LASTMA said its officials implemented temporary traffic diversion measures, allowing controlled one-way traffic from Berger towards Opic Turning while recovery and clearance operations continued.
“The resulting traffic backlog remains extensive, stretching from Kara Bridge to Otedola Bridge, with motorists approaching through the Isheri-Olowora and Ogunnusi corridors also experiencing significant delays,” the agency said.
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the deceased’s family and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting lives through prompt emergency response, effective traffic management, and collaboration with other emergency agencies.
He urged operators of articulated vehicles and other motorists to ensure their vehicles are mechanically sound before embarking on journeys, maintain safe following distances, avoid reckless driving, and exercise extra caution, particularly while driving on bridges and other critical road corridors.
LASTMA also advised motorists to remain calm, cooperate with traffic officials, and use alternative routes where possible until the affected section of the road is fully cleared and normal traffic flow restored.
The agency further 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 attention.