•Lagos Blue Rail
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has renewed its call for caution and strict adherence to traffic rules following a fatal collision between a moving train and a dispatch rider at the PWD Railway Level Crossing in Ikeja today.
According to a statement from the agency, the accident occurred when the dispatch rider, whose motorcycle was registered as AGL 179 QR, attempted to cross the railway line while the train was approaching, reports The Guardian.
•Scene of the incident
The incident, which took place near the route leading to Ikeja GRA, resulted in the immediate death of the rider.
Eyewitnesses said the deceased had tried to beat the oncoming train in a bid to cross the tracks before it passed.
“He was riding very fast and ignored the signals warning of the approaching train,” one witness told reporters.
The train, which was unable to halt in time, continued along its route after the impact.
LASTMA officials arrived at the scene shortly after the crash to manage traffic and secure the area. They were later joined by officers from the Shogunle Police Division, while personnel from the Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) evacuated the body.
In a statement, LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the victim’s family, describing the incident as a painful reminder of the consequences of impatience and disregard for safety at railway crossings.
“This is a distressing reminder of the dire consequences of impatience and disregard for traffic safety rules, particularly at railway level crossings,” Bakare-Oki said.
He urged dispatch riders and motorists to obey warning signs, traffic lights, and signals, noting that railway crossings require heightened attention and discipline. “We appeal to all road users to remain cautious, patient, and responsible to avoid needless loss of life,” he added.
The LASTMA chief reiterated the agency’s commitment to public education and enforcement, stating that LASTMA would intensify awareness campaigns and patrols around high-risk areas.
“We remain committed to public enlightenment, proactive enforcement, and safety advocacy in our mission to ensure sanity and discipline across the Lagos metropolis,” Bakare-Oki said.
The crash today is the latest in a series of accidents at railway crossings in Lagos, many of which have been linked to impatience and violations of safety protocols.
