By CHIAZO OGBOLU

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) says a fully laden 40-foot container truck with registration number XP 368 AKD on Tuesday overturned on a tricycle, killing a police officer and another passenger.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

Bakare-Oki noted that the accident occurred earlier on Tuesday along Ijora Causeway, inward Ijora sevenup.

“Preliminary findings indicates that the articulated vehicle, while attempting a precarious maneuver beneath the Ijora Bridge, lost control and consequently capsized, fatally crushing a tricycle with registration number KJA 364 QN.

“Regrettably, two passengers, a serving police officer inclusive, were killed instantly.

“The remains of the deceased police officer was subsequently conveyed to a morgue at Yaba by security operatives, while relatives of the second victim, a female passenger, hastened to the scene to retrieve the remains of their loved one,” he said.

He said In a valiant rescue operation spearheaded by LASTMA operatives in concert with allied emergency responders, two additional victims, including the tricycle operator, were extricated alive, though they sustained severe bilateral leg fractures.

He added that the Injured were expeditiously transported by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) to Jimsan Hospital, Gasikiya, Ijora, for urgent medical intervention.

“To avert a descent into chaos, combined detachments of security personnel drawn from Badia, Trinity, and Kirikiri Police Divisions established robust security cordons.

“Their decisive presence pacified irate onlookers, who had attempted to set the containerised truck ablaze, and safeguarded the emergency responders throughout the duration of the rescue operations,” he said.

The LASTMA boss expressed profound condolences to the bereaved families of the late police officer and the deceased female passenger, describing the tragedy as deeply grievous and most regrettable.

He further offered prayers for the swift recuperation of the two surviving victims who remained under intensive medical care.

Bakare-Oki lauded the combined efforts of emergency and security agencies for their prompt intervention, commendable professionalism, and proactive measures which forestalled further fatalities and prevented escalation of the situation.

“The authority reiterated its earnest admonition to truck operators and articulated vehicle drivers to exercise the highest degree of caution, particularly when negotiating bridges, intersections, and densely trafficked corridors.

“This is to avert the recurrence of such calamitous incidents,” he said. (NAN)