Falling Container Crushes Woman To Death In Lagos

Tragedy struck on the ever busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway yesterday when a falling 40-feet container killed a yet-to-be-identified woman inside her car.

Our correspondent gathered from officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) that her driver survived the accident unhurt.

The accident was said to have occurred as a result of high speed on the part of the 40-foot-full-loaded container driver.

According to a statement by LASTMA Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, the driver of the Mack articulated truck, along with his apprentice, fled the scene as soon as the accident occurred.

“A fully loaded 40 ft Mack articulated truck today fell on a Nissan Car (ABJ 692 BG) and instantly killed a woman at the rear of the car, while the car driver survived unhurt with support from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority officials at N.N.P.C. inward Estate, Alapere, Lagos. LASTMA officer Alabi Olukayode (Zone 2, Ogudu/Alapere) disclosed that they handed over the evacuated dead body (woman) to policemen from Alapere Police Station.

“According to Zebra Alabi Olukayode, “LASTMA officials and passersby, including the LASEMA Response Unit (LRU), were involved in the rescue operations.

“Other emergency responders at the scene of the fatal accident include Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and the Police.

“Also at the accident scene were the LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, LASTMA Director of Traffic Incidents, Event Monitoring, Enforcement, and Compliance, Mr. Hakeem Adeosun, and the LASTMA rescue team.’’

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare Oki, however, warned motoring public, particularly truck drivers, to stop over speeding and ensure their vehicles are properly checked, including the braking system, before embarking on any journey within or outside the state.