One person was killed and four others injured when a Mack tanker rammed into a Toyota Corolla vehicle before crashing into a POS shop at Ekoro Junction inward Abule-Egba, Lagos State, on Friday evening.

Witnesses said the POS attendant started the job a day before the incident.

Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the road accident in an X post on Saturday.

The agency said the crash occurred at 7:30 pm when the empty MACK tanker experienced sudden brake malfunction, lost control and violently rammed into a Toyota Corolla car before crashing into a nearby roadside shop.

According to LASTMA, the tanker with registration number EKY 900 XY collided with the Toyota Corolla marked AAA 823 AY.

The force of the impact caused extensive structural devastation and triggered panic among pedestrians, traders and business operators within the area.

“The magnitude of the collision led to the immediate confirmation of one fatality at the scene, while four other trapped persons were extricated from the wreckage through coordinated emergency rescue efforts,” the post reads.

LASTMA said it activated its Rescue and Recovery protocol and deployed specialised operatives to the scene to initiate comprehensive emergency response measures.

“Personnel implemented strategic traffic diversion, vehicular evacuation procedures and crowd management in synergy with other emergency responders to forestall secondary incidents and guarantee unobstructed access for rescue operations,” the agency said.

It added that personnel implemented strategic traffic diversion, vehicular evacuation procedures and crowd management in synergy with other emergency responders to forestall secondary incidents and guarantee unobstructed access for rescue operations.

LASTMA said emergency teams successfully rescued all trapped victims after painstaking efforts and facilitated immediate medical attention for them.

LASTMA added that it mobilised a heavy-duty tow truck to evacuate the damaged tanker and remove debris obstructing traffic along the axis.

The agency condemned the action of the tanker driver, who reportedly fled the scene immediately after the incident.

It said security operatives have launched coordinated efforts to apprehend the fleeing driver and ensure his prosecution.

“Security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Ekoro Division, responded expeditiously, maintaining public order, securing the accident perimeter and assisting in investigative processes aimed at establishing the precise sequence of events that culminated in the mechanical failure and subsequent collision.

“The incident precipitated considerable traffic congestion extending across adjoining routes toward Abule-Egba, necessitating robust traffic management interventions by LASTMA officials who remained on ground directing vehicular movement and implementing diversion strategies to alleviate the backlog,” the agency said.

General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, condoled with the families of victims.

He urged transport operators especially drivers of articulated vehicle to prioritise routine vehicle maintenance.

He noted that preventable mechanical deficiencies remain a significant contributory factor in severe road traffic crashes.

Bakare-Oki further advised motorists to exercise caution, obey traffic regulations strictly and sustain responsible driving practices, especially within densely populated commercial corridors.

He assured members of the public that security agencies would conduct a comprehensive investigation to unravel the remote causes of the incident and ensure the prosecution of any individual found culpable in accordance with extant laws. (The Sun)