A man has lost his life in a tragic accident involving a truck that overturned in the Gbagada area of Lagos State. The incident occurred on Sunday, involving a Mercedes-Benz six-tyre truck loaded with various goods, including sealed bags and newly branded event chairs.
According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the accident was triggered when one of the truck’s front tyres burst while the vehicle was traveling at high speed. This mechanical failure caused the driver to lose control, resulting in the truck overturning.
LASTMA reported that the elderly male passenger seated in the front cabin was thrown from the truck during the rollover and sustained fatal injuries after hitting his head against a sharp object. Emergency responders, including LASTMA’s Night Rescue Team and personnel from the Pedro Police Division and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, were dispatched to the scene. They successfully cordoned off the area and evacuated the deceased into an ambulance.
It was noted by LASTMA that the removal of the truck was delayed due to the significant volume of goods it was carrying. The agency stated that its officers had to transfer the items to another vehicle before the overturned truck could be recovered. The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, deemed the incident an avoidable tragedy and advised heavy-duty vehicle operators to adhere to speed limits and conduct regular vehicle checks to prevent such accidents.
This fatal incident adds to the growing concern over the safety of heavy-duty vehicles on Lagos roads. LASTMA has documented several similar incidents, highlighting that 69 individuals lost their lives and 246 were injured in road crashes in the state between January and March of this year alone. Among these accidents, significant cases have involved truck malfunctions occurring at high speeds, emphasizing the need for increased vigilance among drivers.
