Two heavy-duty trailers collided on the Otedola Bridge, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, on Friday, leading to the death of one of the drivers.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, said in a statement that the auto crash, which resulted from drivers’ contesting for the right of way, caused vehicular traffic on the bridge inward Secretariat.

Mr Adebayo said, “A tragic road traffic catastrophe involving multiple articulated vehicles occurred earlier today at Otedola Bridge inward Secretariat, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, temporarily crippling vehicular movement and prompting an urgent, well-coordinated, multi-agency emergency intervention.

“The principal incident involved a violent collision between two heavy-duty trailers, one laden with sand and the other conveying granite, reportedly occasioned by a reckless contest for right of way. 

“The forceful impact led to devastating consequences, resulting in the entrapment of the driver of the sand-laden trailer, who sustained fatal injuries and was later confirmed dead.”

He stated that the LASTMA rescue team extricated the trapped victim and him to the state ambulance service, which conveyed him to the general hospital in Ikeja, where he was declared dead.

“The driver of the second trailer was rescued alive and remarkably escaped unhurt,” Mr Adebayo stated.

He also stated that another incident occurred approximately 50 metres from the primary crash site, in which a separate trailer, fully loaded with flour, lost stability and overturned, further aggravating traffic congestion along the already compromised corridor.

The LASTMA spokesperson disclosed that operatives from the Alausa Police Division were promptly deployed to the scene to provide adequate security cover.

He said, “Cumulatively, the incidents obstructed nearly 80 per cent of the carriageway, thereby compelling the implementation of extensive traffic control and diversion measures. 

“Consequently, motorists travelling inward Lagos from the Mowe, Kara Bridge and Redemption Camp axis were redirected through the Ojodu–Olole route, connecting Agidingbi, Coca-Cola, Secretariat, and 7-Up to enable continued movement towards Gbagada or Ojota with minimal inconvenience.”

Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, Sola Giwa, described the crashes as deeply regrettable and largely preventable.

He attributed the accidents to impatience, indiscipline, and drivers’ refusal to yield appropriately on the expressway. 

Mr Giwa extended his condolences to the family of the deceased driver and urged strict compliance with traffic regulations.