A fatal auto crash involving two commercial buses engaging in a high-speed chase killed one passenger and injured eight others on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, disclosed this in a press release on Monday.

Mr Taofiq said, “A tragic and fatal head-on collision involving two Mazda commercial buses (LND 624 YE / EKY 804 YH) occurred on the Third Mainland Bridge, near Ilaje, en route to Iyana-Oworonsoki, resulting in one fatality and leaving eight others grievously injured.”

“The harrowing incident, which unfolded as both buses recklessly engaged in a high-speed chase from Adeniji Adele, serves as a stark reminder of the catastrophic consequences of irresponsible driving practices.”

Mr Taofiq stated that the swift intervention by LASTMA facilitated the rapid rescue of the eight injured passengers, who were taken to the Gbagada General Hospital for urgent medical care.

He said operatives from Bariga and Alonge police stations provided critical security support at the scene of the rescue operation and restored normalcy.

Mr Taofiq also disclosed that an accident on the bridge had occurred earlier in the day, which was also caused by over-speeding, but no casualties were recorded.

“In a related development, another accident occurred earlier today involving a Honda CRV (AKD 743 HV), which overturned on the Third Mainland Bridge near the Unilag waterfront, also inbound Iyana-Oworonsoki. The crash, attributed to excessive speeding, resulted in no casualties,” he said.

According to him, the agency personnel swiftly cleared the wreckage and prevented further obstruction to the free flow of traffic on the bridge.

Mr Taofiq stressed LASTMA’s commitment to ensuring road safety and extended condolences to the bereaved family.