Many people had a close call with death when a large 20-foot container fell off a truck in the Mangoro area of Lagos State today, Saturday. The scene of the incident was filled with chaos as onlookers and commuters watched the heavy container tumble, narrowly missing pedestrians and vehicles.
The unfortunate accident took place around 6 a.m. This serious incident was reportedly caused by a mechanical failure associated with the truck, which was attempting to navigate a bridge when it began to roll backward due to this malfunction. The dramatic scenario played out as the truck lost control while making its way up the incline of the bridge, leading to the catastrophic fall of the container.
Okunbor Nosa, who serves as the Head of the Public Affairs Unit for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, confirmed the details surrounding the accident. In an official statement, he explained that the agency took immediate action by activating the Eagle Team, which is part of its heavy-duty equipment hub located in Cappa Base. This response was initiated after the agency received a distress call through the 767/112 Emergency Toll-Free lines at 6:17 a.m.
Nosa elaborated on the findings, stating, “Further investigations conducted by the LRT indicated that the immediate cause of the accident was identified as a mechanical error, specifically a failed clutch.” He explained that this mechanical failure caused the truck to roll backward while navigating the slope of the bridge, ultimately leading to its descent and causing a complete shutdown of the bridge road for safety reasons.
Fortunately, despite the seriousness of the incident, there were no fatalities reported. However, it was noted that the truck driver did sustain some injuries during the mishap. Emergency services were prompt, and the driver was taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for medical attention shortly before the Eagle Response Team arrived on-site to assist in managing the situation.
In addition to attending to the injured driver, safety measures were put into place promptly to prevent any secondary incidents from occurring during the operation and the cleanup efforts. The situation required the activation of traffic control measures as well. As a response to the accident, road diversions were organized by the LRT, working hand in hand with officials from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and officers from the Nigerian Police Force to ensure that traffic could be redirected efficiently and to help avoid any potential backlog.
The efforts of these agencies were crucial in maintaining order in the already chaotic situation, ensuring that the public was kept safe during the aftermath of the accident. Overall, the incident highlights the ongoing challenges related to transportation safety on Lagos roads and the importance of quick response from emergency services to mitigate the impact of such accidents on the community. The situation has raised awareness about the need for regular maintenance checks on heavy vehicles to prevent similar incidents in the future. Vanguard News
