One person has been confirmed dead following multiple accidents at Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The crashes, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, caused severe traffic congestion on the expressway and surrounding routes.
According to Elizabeth Jayeola, the public education officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Command, the first accident occurred at about 12:05 a.m. on the outbound carriageway towards Ibadan.
The crash involved five articulated trucks and a Toyota Sienna vehicle. Seven people were involved, with one person losing their life, another sustaining injuries and five others escaping unhurt.
Jayeola attributed the accident to speed violation and loss of control.
“Due to the position of one of the heavily loaded trucks, the body of the deceased is trapped underneath the vehicle, necessitating the deployment of heavy-duty recovery equipment before evacuation can be completed,” she said.
A second accident involving a commercial bus occurred at about 3:15 a.m. on the inbound carriageway towards Lagos.
The FRSC official said the lone crash was caused by brake failure, leaving the driver seriously injured.
“He was promptly rescued by the FRSC emergency response team and taken to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre for medical treatment,” the statement reads.
“The FRSC rescue team, LASEMA and other emergency responders are working assiduously to evacuate the crashed vehicles, recover the trapped victim, clear the obstruction, and restore the free flow of traffic.
“The Lagos Sector Commander, Corps Commander Kehinde Ganiyu Hamzat, sympathizes with the families of the victims and urges motorists travelling along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to exercise patience, caution and cooperate with traffic management personnel in and around the scene.”
The FRSC advised motorists to consider alternative routes to avoid delays around the Kara-Ojodu Berger corridor while recovery operations continue.
“Motorists travelling outward Lagos towards Ibadan may divert through the Ikorodu-Sagamu route,” Jayeola said.
“Motorists heading into Lagos are advised to consider alternative entry routes through Lekki-Epe expressway or Ikorodu-Sagamu expressway.”