Truck Crushes Pedestrian to Death in Lagos

Tragedy struck on Tuesday when a fully loaded truck crushed an unidentified pedestrian to death at the Iyana-Ishasi U-turn, inward Mile 2, Lagos State. The incident, which occurred at about 11 a.m., caused panic among residents and road users.

Eyewitnesses reported that the Howo tipper truck, with an unknown registration number, suffered a brake failure while navigating through traffic at high speed. An onlooker, Mr. John Adebiyi, described the harrowing moment: “The driver lost control of the truck, and it swerved off the road, hitting a pedestrian who was walking by. The person died instantly.”

This incident occurred less than 24 hours after a similar tragedy on the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge, where one pedestrian lost their life, and five others were hospitalized following a collision.

In the aftermath of the accident, tensions escalated as some miscreants attempted to set the truck ablaze. However, security personnel, including officers from the Nigeria Police, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), quickly intervened to restore calm and prevent further disruption.

LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed the cause of the accident, attributing it to the truck's brake failure. “The tragic incident was a direct result of brake failure, which caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, leading to the unfortunate death of an innocent pedestrian,” Bakare-Oki explained.

He praised the collaborative efforts of FRSC and LASTMA officials in managing the situation efficiently and ensuring that the remains of the deceased were promptly transported to the General Hospital, Igando, for further formalities. Officers from the Ishasi Police Division were also on the ground to provide additional security during the rescue operations.

Expressing his condolences to the family of the deceased, Bakare-Oki said: “We deeply sympathize with the family of the victim and pray for the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

The LASTMA boss further underscored the importance of safety consciousness among drivers, emphasizing the critical need for regular vehicle maintenance and strict adherence to traffic regulations. “Motorists must ensure their vehicles are in good working condition before hitting the road to avoid preventable accidents like this. LASTMA remains committed to promoting road safety and ensuring smooth traffic management across Lagos,” he stated.