A motor assistant has lost his life after being thrown off a granite-carrying tipper truck during a collision involving two trucks at Oke-Oso, inward Itokin, in the Epe area of Lagos State.
The accident reportedly occurred around 6:19am on Saturday after one of the trucks suffered brake failure and lost control.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday, explaining that a tipper truck with registration number ABG-226XB had a side collision with another truck.
“Investigation revealed that one of the trucks with registration number ABG-226XB suffered brake failure, lost control and had a side collision with another tipper truck,” he stated.
Oke-Osanyintolu explained that the impact of the collision threw the motor assistant off the truck.
“Sadly, the motor assistant of the first truck was thrown off the vehicle and died on impact,” he said.
He disclosed that the remains of the deceased, an adult male, were recovered, placed in a body bag and handed over to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
The two damaged trucks were also recovered and transported to the FRSC office.
The LASEMA chief further revealed that the agency responded to two other emergencies overnight.
According to him, the agency’s Tiger Response Team was deployed around 7:58pm on Friday following a collision between a Toyota Camry, with registration number AGL-70HU, and a Toyota Venza, registered as FST-893KF, on Odo-Iyalaro Bridge, inward Maryland.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the Venza had stopped by the roadside due to fuel insufficiency, while the driver of the Camry, who was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, rammed into the stationary vehicle,” he said.
He confirmed that the Camry driver sustained injuries but no fatality was recorded.
“The driver of the Camry sustained injuries. He was stabilised by the agency’s paramedics and LASAMBUS before being evacuated to the Trauma Centre for further medical care,” he added.
Both vehicles were subsequently towed to Area F Police Station, while emergency responders cleared the scene and reopened the bridge to traffic.
In another incident, LASEMA’s Eagle Response Team attended to a broken-down HOWO truck at Olosha, Mushin, around 10:36pm on Friday.
The truck, with registration number JJJ-293XZ, reportedly became trapped in a damaged section of the road, blocking approximately 60 per cent of the carriageway.
“No casualty was recorded. Road diversion measures were immediately put in place to manage traffic while recovery was awaited.”
Oke-Osanyintolu said the agency deployed its heavy-duty Super Metro equipment to retrieve the truck and relocate it to a lay-by.
“The road has been restored for free vehicular movement,” he stressed.
The LASEMA Permanent Secretary expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and advised motorists to ensure their vehicles were properly maintained, avoid driving under the influence of alcohol and comply with road safety regulations.
“The Agency remains on high alert and assures residents of its readiness to respond to all emergencies through its toll-free lines 767 and 112,” he concluded.