A fully loaded six-tyre truck reportedly suffered brake failure and plunged off the Oshodi Bridge in Lagos on Saturday, leaving one man seriously injured.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said its operatives quickly responded to the scene, rescuing the victim and restoring traffic flow. According to Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs at LASTMA, the truck, carrying toner printing materials and bearing registration number AKD 135 YK, lost control while descending the Oshodi-Oke Bridge toward Mile 2 and fell into the terminal ditch below.
“LASTMA officers promptly initiated rescue operations, extricating a male victim who sustained severe injuries,” Taofiq said. The injured man was rushed to a nearby medical facility, while the truck driver was handed over to Makinde Police Station, Oshodi, for investigation into the cause of the brake failure.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Bakare Oki, commended the operatives for their swift and professional response. He emphasized the agency’s vigilance during the ember months, when road traffic and accident risks are higher, and noted that heavy-duty recovery vehicles and personnel are deployed across Lagos for rapid emergency response.
Oki also advised motorists to maintain their vehicles and strictly observe traffic regulations, reaffirming LASTMA’s commitment to proactive traffic management and public safety.
The Oshodi-Apapa Expressway corridor, a major transport hub linking port routes and mainland Lagos, frequently experiences traffic congestion, with heavy-duty trucks contributing to accidents. Mechanical failures, including brake malfunctions, remain a significant cause of road accidents nationwide, accounting for about 10% of crashes, according to the 2022 FRSC report.
