A passenger has died after jumping off a moving commercial bus which reportedly went out of control and crashed into a median pole at Ojuelegba, Lagos.
The tragedy occurred at Ogunlana Junction, inward Ojuelegba, in the Fallout area of Surulere, when the Volkswagen commercial bus, marked, LND 130 XR, suddenly careered into a median pole.
Preliminary security reports cited by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) indicated that the driver was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and had been driving recklessly shortly before the crash.
As the bus reportedly moved erratically, motorists approaching from behind were said to havr forced to take evasive action to avoid a collision.
In the ensuing pandemonium, a male passenger apparently attempting to escape from the uncontrolled vehicle jumped off the bus and sustained serious injuries on impact with the ground and later died from his injuries.
LASTMA officials on routine traffic surveillance in the Ojuelegba axis quickly moved in after sighting the crash, securing the scene and controlling traffic to prevent another accident.
The damaged bus and the remains of the passenger were subsequently removed from the carriageway, averting what LASTMA described as the threat of a potentially catastrophic secondary collision.
Police personnel from Area C Division, Ojuelegba, provided security cover, while officials of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEHMU) evacuated the deceased.
LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the crash as another grim reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless motoring.
He urged commercial and private motorists to carry out proper safety checks before every journey, particularly on braking systems, tyres and steering mechanisms.
Bakare-Oki condoled with the family of the deceased and reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to rapid accident response and prompt clearance of crash scenes.
He urged motorists to report accidents, breakdowns and traffic obstructions to the agency through its toll-free short code, 3367