Two yet-to-be-identified persons lost their lives in a multiple crash that occurred around the Alaka area of Eko Bridge in Lagos on Wednesday.
PUNCH Metro gathered that five persons were also hospitalised after they sustained varying degrees of injuries in the crash that involved a loaded MAC truck that collided with five cars and a bus.
Other vehicles involved were a Lexus SUV (LSP 795 EW), Toyota Camry (AKD 606 HH), Toyota (LND 217 GX), Mini-bus (FKJ 77 YG) and another vehicle with number plate LSR 952 HZ.
An eyewitness, Ishola Badmus, told PUNCH Metro that one of the vehicles that suffered brake failure rammed into another vehicle from behind, leading to a chain of crashes on the road.
Badmus said, “The truck’s brake failed and it rammed into a car from behind. The truck almost fell on its side as it drifted and crossed the road, blocking it entirely, and causing traffic hold up..
“The road was blocked off for motorists coming from Apapa, as other vehicles had to take the Costain route to continue their journey inwards Alaka.”
Pictures obtained by our correspondent showed a small car trapped under the white truck as people gathered and made efforts to remove it.
Confirming the incident, the Lagos Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Babatunde Farinloye, said the accident was avoidable if the vehicle was checked to be in good condition before it was put on the road.
“Around 2pm on Wednesday, a multiple crash involving six vehicles occurred in Alaka. It was a result of a brake failure as the truck rammed into other vehicles. Two persons died and five others were seriously injured and they have been taken to the Federal Medical Centre for medical attention. The wreckage of the vehicles has been removed from the road.
“We advise motorists to always make sure that their vehicles are in good condition before they put them on the road to prevent this kind of avoidable accident,” he said.