Truck falls off Lagos Bridge, crushes two commercial buses

A fully laden truck with registration number GGE 624 YJ lost control on Saturday and fell from atop the Pen Cinema Bridge in Lagos, landing on two commercial buses parked beneath the bridge, leaving the driver in critical condition.

In a statement issued by Adebayo Taofiq, the Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), it was stated that the truck driver suffered severe fractures to both hands. The driver was successfully extricated from the wreckage and taken to the General Hospital in Ile-Epo for urgent medical attention.

According to the LASTMA statement:
“We hereby notify the general public of a serious road traffic incident that occurred earlier today along Agege, Old Abeokuta Road, involving a fully laden truck (registration number: GGE 624 YJ) and two painted commercial Volkswagen buses.

“Preliminary investigations suggest that the truck driver, who sustained serious fractures to both hands, lost control of the vehicle while navigating the Pen Cinema Bridge. As a result, the truck plunged from the bridge, landing on the two commercial buses stationed below.

“LASTMA officers, responding swiftly, successfully extricated the severely injured driver and immediately handed him over to officers from the Elere Police Division. He was then transported to the General Hospital in Ile-Epo for urgent medical treatment.

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“In order to protect other road users and prevent secondary incidents, LASTMA personnel quickly secured the accident site by cordoning off the area and diverting traffic. Subsequently, operatives from the LASEMA Response Unit swiftly cleared the wreckage, restoring smooth traffic flow in the area.”

Expressing deep concern, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, urged all motorists—particularly truck operators—to exercise heightened caution, especially with the onset of the rainy season.

He further emphasized the importance of adhering to current road safety protocols and called on drivers to comply with the newly installed speed-limiting devices, which are intended to reduce accidents and enhance overall road safety.

Mr. Bakare-Oki also extended heartfelt wishes for the swift and full recovery of the injured driver.

For prompt traffic assistance or to engage LASTMA officials on any Lagos thoroughfare, please contact the Agency’s toll-free hotline: 0800 00 527 862.