Truck Crushes Cyclist To Death In Lagos

A DAF model truck has crushed a cyclist to death under the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Bridge at Ikeja’s Airport Road traffic light.

The incident occurred as both the cyclist and the heavy-duty truck, both advancing from the Maryland axis, simultaneously attempted to negotiate the roundabout underneath the bridge.

According to eyewitness accounts, the cyclist was unable to maintain a safe clearance and was too close to the moving truck, and moments later, the truck crushed the rider, who died at the scene.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) operatives at the location responded and apprehended the truck driver, who had attempted to abscond from the scene to evade arrest. The suspect was, thereafter, handed over to security personnel from the Ikeja Police Division for thorough investigation and prosecution in line with extant laws.

Officials of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SHEMU) were urgently summoned to evacuate the remains of the deceased cyclist from the carriageway, thereby ensuring public safety and operational orderliness at the scene.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, expressed deep sorrow over the needless and irreplaceable loss of life, while extending his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

He offered prayers that Almighty God grants the family the fortitude, resilience and divine comfort required to endure the profound grief occasioned by the tragedy.

Giwa further utilised the moment to issue a firm caution to cyclists and commercial motorbike riders, admonishing them to exercise heightened circumspection and to place utmost priority on their personal safety while navigating Lagos roads.

He reiterated that cyclists must strictly comply with traffic regulations and refrain from plying motorways, highways, and other major arterial routes where their exposure to danger is considerably amplified.

“The Lagos State Government has, over time, sustained intensive sensitisation initiatives through public jingles and documentary campaigns aimed at enlightening cyclists and other vulnerable road users on the necessity of confining their movements to inner roads, away from highways and high-risk corridors. This safety directive equally applies to skateboard users and other non-motorised conveyances,” he stated.