3rd Mainland Bridge car crash claims 5 lives, injures 13

A crash involving three cars unfortunately claimed the lives of five people and injured 13 others on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State close to the UNILAG Waterfront end of the road channel.

Reports say the accident which involved a Hilux pickup, a Rover Jeep and a LAGBUS was caused by the pickup which suddenly had a blowout at top speed before somersaulting.

The accident which happened at about 6pm on Sunday according to an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority could have been avoided if the pickup was not driving at top speed.

“The truck driver was at top speed when he had a blowout and somersaulted. The truck crashed into the other vehicles, including the LAGBUS. In all, two vehicles somersaulted in the accident. Five people died and 13 were injured.”

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Immediately the accident occurred, there was an immediate response from a team of emergency officials who thronged the scene of the incident according to a resident identified as Babajide Kabiawu.

“Fire service trucks and ambulances were seen going to the scene to remove the corpses and clear the wreckage. Commercial vehicles are turning back from the bridge,” he said.

Confirming the incident, the General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Michael Akindele said two kids were unfortunately among the five victims who lost their lives.

“The accident occurred around 6.10 pm on the Third Mainland Bridge inward Iyana Oworo, by UNILAG Waterfront. It involved three vehicles, a LAGBUS, a Hilux truck belonging to a local vigilante group, and a Rover Jeep.

“Five persons were confirmed dead, among which were three female adults and two children (one female and one male). Five persons were also injured and taken by LASAMBUS to the Trauma Centre.

“The LASEMA response team towed away the vehicles from the bridge, while the dead bodies have been taken by the State Emergency Health Monitoring Unit to the Mainland Hospital mortuary.” He added.

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