By CHIAZO OGBOLU

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) says a fatal road traffic collision on Ikorodu Road has claimed the lives of an eight-month-old baby and a female passenger.

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

Bakare-Oki noted that the collision occurred opposite Olabode House, between Anthony and Obanikoro.

“Preliminary findings indicate that a red Tata commercial bus, speeding from Palmgrove toward Anthony, suddenly lost mechanical and directional control.

“In a catastrophic sequence of events,

The bus veered off its lane, broke through the median barrier, and collided with an oncoming Volkswagen commercial bus carrying passengers from Anthony to Palmgrove.

“The sheer violence of the impact resulted in the instantaneous death of an adult female passenger aboard the Volkswagen bus, while an eight-month-old female infant tragically succumbed to injuries sustained in the collision,” he said.

He added that LASTMA operatives, supported by well-meaning members of the public, immediately activated a coordinated rescue and recovery operation.

The LASTMA boss disclosed that a total of 10 victims, including the drivers of both vehicles, were successfully extricated from the mangled wreckage, all sustaining varying degrees of serious injuries.

“Six trapped passengers were rescued from the Volkswagen commercial bus, while four others were evacuated from the red Tata bus,” he said.

He stated that the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) promptly transported the injured victims to nearby medical facilities for immediate attention, while officials of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) evacuated the remains of the deceased infant and adult female.

He also noted that security operatives from the Ilupeju Police Division provided crucial security coverage throughout the rescue and recovery operation.

Bakare-Oki conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families, saying he was particularly concerned for the distraught mother of the deceased infant, who had sustained severe injuries and was receiving medical treatment.

He seized the occasion to warn all motorists, especially commercial drivers, to exercise utmost restraint, maintain heightened vigilance, and comply strictly with stipulated speed limits. (NAN)