•Road safety officials at scene of an accident
At least six people, including a policeman, have died in an accident on the Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
It was gathered that the accident, which occurred last night, involved some trucks, including a fuel tanker, that collided on the bridge, reports Channels TV.
It was learnt that one of the deceased, said to be an occupant of one of the trucks, was burnt beyond recognition.
The incident also caused a heavy gridlock on the expressway, grounding vehicular movement and leaving many commuters stranded.
Eyewitnesses said one of the trucks carrying unknown items veered off the road and crashed into the brick barricade of the bridge.
The impact of the crash severed the head of the truck, causing it to plunge into the river.
As of the time of filing this report, eyewitnesses told our correspondent that some of the occupants of the severed truck had yet to be found.
Eight Casualties
Confirming the accident, the Lagos State Traffick Management Authority, said eight casualties were recorded, but did not give further details.
A video shared by the agency showed the affected trucks and lifeless body at the scene of the incident.
A towing van, which was contacted to separate the trucks, was also hit in the process.
“There’s a report of a multiple road crash where a truck and a container-laden trailer were in flames, another truck spilling its contents (cartons of biscuits) on the road, a container-laden truck ran onto the barrier with its carrier falling off the bridge into the river, thereby blocking the entire road at Kara Bridge inward Mowe,” it stated on its X handle.
“Eight casualties recorded. Effort is in top gear for the recovery and evacuation of the vehicles involved.
“Traffic backlog on Ogunnusi Road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Officers and other emergency first responders are on the groundm” it added.
Police Inspector Killed
It was also gathered that a police officer, an assistant to one of the drivers, and two other people died, while a ‘motorboy’ and one other person were injured in the accident.
The Commissioner of Police, Olorundare Jimoh, said five articulated vehicles were involved in the accident
He said about three injured people were taken to the hospital.
The CP said preliminary reports showed that the accident resulted from brake failure.
“We have a case of a multiple accident, which is still under investigation.
“Unfortunately, we lost a police inspector,” the CP told our correspondent.
“All those responsible for the accident will be prosecuted,” he added.
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) marshals were also at the scene of the accident, attempting to salvage the situation.
‘One-Way,’ Fare Hikes
Meanwhile, the gridlock spilled over to the Lagos-bound lane of the expressway as many motorists were seen driving against traffic.
Commercial drivers also took advantage of the traffic hold-ups to hike fares.
At the Berger axis of the expressway, it was gathered that commercial drivers plying the Berger-Oshodi route charged between ₦2,000 and ₦2,500, as against the regular fare of between ₦1,000 and ₦1,200.
The Kara Bridge accident occurred less than 24 hours after a truck fell on the Otedola Bridge yesterday.
