LASEMA clears crash scene, restores traffic flow

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has restored free flow of traffic on Lagos roads after recovering two major truck incidents that obstructed vehicular movement along Ikorodu Road and the National-Ashade corridor.

According to a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA,
Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu,
in the first incident, the agency received a distress alert at 5:53 p.m. yesterday, and deployed its Cobra Team stationed at Onipanu to the scene of the incident at Palm Groove inward Obanikoro along Ikorodu Road.

“Upon arrival at the scene, the Response Team observed a loaded mixer truck belonging to Ecocrete Construction Company which had been involved in a lone accident and had fallen sideways on the BRT corridor.

” Preliminary investigation suggests that the accident was due to reckless driving and overspeeding,” the PS said.

However, while no casualty was recorded, the driver of the affected truck absconded immediately after the incident.

It was further gathered that the LASEMA, in collaboration with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and the Nigeria Police Force, promptly secured the scene, controlled traffic and commenced recovery operations to evacuate the impediment off the BRT lane.

The PS said that on the same day, at about 11:21 p.m., the LASEMA Eagle Response Team stationed at Cappa was activated following a report of a truck incident at National, Ashade.

It was learnt that a MACK truck with an unknown registration number, laden with double 20ft containers, had broken down while attempting to make a U-turn.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the incident was caused by a tyre burst, which made the truck tilt, posing a serious threat to road users and blocking about eighty per cent of the roadway,” the PS stated

According to Oke-Osanyintolu, in line with global best practices in emergency management, the Eagle Team immediately implemented traffic diversion measures and secured the perimeter to prevent a secondary incident, while responders from LASEMA and LASTMA remained on ground managing traffic while awaiting heavy-duty equipment.

The containers were successfully recovered and placed on the Agency’s lowbed, while the MACK truck was towed to the LASTMA yard at Oshodi with the aid of a private tow truck.

The road has since been fully cleared and reopened for free vehicular movement.

While commending the gallantry and professionalism of the Cobra and Eagle Response Teams and all collaborating agencies for their swift intervention, which prevented gridlock and averted potential secondary accidents, Oke-Osanyintolu reaffirmed the commitment of the Lagos State Government to building a resilient emergency management system that guarantees prompt response to all emergencies across the State.

The Permanent Secretary also urged drivers of articulated vehicles and heavy-duty trucks to ensure proper maintenance of their vehicles, adhere strictly to speed limits and traffic regulations, and exercise utmost caution on Lagos roads.

Members of the public were also enjoined to continue to report emergencies promptly via the 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines for immediate response.