One Dies as Truck Overturns in Gbagada

One passenger has died after a fully loaded truck overturned around the TREM axis of Gbagada, inward Oshodi, Lagos State, following a reported tyre burst.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the accident occurred around midnight when the Mercedes-Benz six-tyre truck, with registration number ABJ 37 AC, reportedly lost control after its front tyre suddenly burst while travelling at considerable speed.
According to the authority, an elderly male passenger seated in the front cabin was thrown out of the vehicle during the incident and sustained a fatal head injury after hitting a sharp object.
LASTMA said its Night Rescue Team, which was conducting surveillance along major traffic corridors, promptly arrived at the scene and secured the area to prevent further accidents.
The deceased was subsequently evacuated from the busy carriageway into an ambulance belonging to the Lagos State Emergency Medical Services (SEHMU).
The emergency response also received support from personnel of Pedro Police Division and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.
To prevent secondary collisions, LASTMA operatives deployed traffic cones and emergency warning signals to alert approaching motorists and manage traffic around the accident scene.
The agency explained that the overturned truck, which was carrying assorted consignments, including sealed bags and newly branded event chairs, could not be immediately recovered because of the volume of its cargo.
It added that arrangements were made to transfer the goods into another truck before the overturned vehicle could be removed.
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased, describing the incident as a painful and avoidable loss.
Bakare-Oki warned heavy-duty vehicle operators and commercial transporters against excessive speeding, noting that it reduces drivers’ reaction time, affects vehicle stability and increases the severity of road crashes.
He said the consequences of the incident could potentially have been less severe if the truck had been travelling at a controlled speed, despite the sudden tyre explosion.
The LASTMA boss urged motorists, particularly heavy-duty vehicle operators, to embrace responsible driving during the ember months and ensure regular mechanical inspections before embarking on journeys.
He specifically advised drivers to pay attention to the condition of their tyres, braking systems and other critical vehicle components.
Bakare-Oki also stressed the need for drivers to maintain proper vehicle control when confronted with sudden mechanical problems, warning that excessive speed could turn such situations into fatal accidents.