One Dead as Multiple Accidents Cause Gridlock on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

One person has been confirmed dead following multiple accidents at Kara Bridge on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

The crashes, which occurred early Friday, have led to snarling traffic on the axis and adjoining routes.

In a statement, Elizabeth Jayeola, public education officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos command, said the first accident, which occurred at 12:05am along the outbound carriageway towards Ibadan, involved five articulated trucks and one Toyota Sienna vehicle.

Jayeola said seven persons were involved in the accident, adding that one person died, another sustained injuries, while five others escaped unhurt.

She said the accident was caused by speed violation and loss of control.

“Due to the position of one of the heavily loaded trucks, the body of the deceased is trapped underneath the vehicle, necessitating the deployment of heavy-duty recovery equipment before evacuation can be completed,” she said.

Jayeola said another accident involving a commercial bus occurred around 3:15am at the inbound carriageway towards Lagos.

She added that the lone accident was caused by a brake failure and that the driver was seriously injured.

“He was promptly rescued by the FRSC emergency response team and taken to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre for medical treatment,” the statement reads.

“The FRSC rescue team, LASEMA and other emergency responders are working assiduously to evacuate the crashed vehicles, recover the trapped victim, clear the obstruction, and restore the free flow of traffic.

“The Lagos Sector Commander, Corps Commander Kehinde Ganiyu Hamzat, sympathizes with the families of the victims and urges motorists travelling along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to exercise patience, caution and cooperate with traffic management personnel in and around the scene.”

She urged motorists to use alternative routes to avoid delays from the Kara-Ojodu Berger corridor until recovery operations are concluded.

“Motorists travelling outward Lagos towards Ibadan may divert through the Ikorodu-Sagamu route,” Jayeola said.

“Motorists heading into Lagos are advised to consider alternative entry routes through Lekki-Epe expressway or Ikorodu-Sagamu expressway.”