In a statement released on Sunday and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Olumide Sogunle, the details were contained in the outcome of a panel of enquiry set up to look into the possible causes of the incident.
The panel, according to Olumide, disclosed that the elevator plunged down the building at exactly 6:50 pm, adding that the impact damaged its doors which needed to be forced open.
He revealed that the deceased victim was extracted an hour later while resuscitation commenced immediately.
The statement in part read, “Following the incident, we immediately set up a panel to look into its likely causes, identify persons who might be culpable, and suggest ways of preventing any future occurrence.
“For transparency, the membership of the panel included representatives of the Medical Guild and six representatives of House Officers. The panel has now concluded its deliberations and submitted its report.
“According to its findings, the incident happened around 6.50 pm. Due to the impact, the elevator doors were damaged and needed to be forced open to rescue the trapped house officer. She was extracted at about 7.50 pm and resuscitation commenced immediately.
“She was wheeled to the emergency room and was immediately attended to by a medical team led by a highly experienced consultant orthopaedic and trauma surgeon. The team was assisted by all the house officers who were present at the time. The initial objectives were to ensure a clear airway, maintain breathing, and establish circulation.
Sogunle added that the team was also joined by two consultant anaesthetists, including the Medical Director, who intubated the patient but despite all the efforts, the doctor stopped breathing around 8.13 pm.
He added that Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation commenced which went on until 8.59 pm when she was pronounced dead.
The state government however clarified that blood samples for cross-matching had not been taken and there had not been a request for blood at the time the CPR commenced
“It is not true that blood was not available. The state has a strong network of screening centres where blood is available. Besides, there is a register of voluntary donors who can be mobilised at very short notice.
“It is also important to state that the elevator that crashed was installed brand new in 2021. Elevator experts working with the Lagos Safety Commission have carried out an initial inspection and will be removing the elevator for further mechanical examination to determine why the safety features that should prevent this kind of accident did not work. Their findings will determine if we have a case with the elevator installer,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the state government has suspended the General Manager of Lagos State Infrastructure and Asset Management Agency.
The facility managers were also sacked and blacklisted.
