There
was pandemonium on Third Mainland Bridge after a vehicle veered off the bridge
plunging into the lagoon on Saturday.
was pandemonium on Third Mainland Bridge after a vehicle veered off the bridge
plunging into the lagoon on Saturday.
SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that
the vehicle, a gold-coloured Toyota Sienna with number-plate, EKY974BB, was on
high speed inward Oworoshoki when the incident occurred.
the vehicle, a gold-coloured Toyota Sienna with number-plate, EKY974BB, was on
high speed inward Oworoshoki when the incident occurred.
According to eyewitness’ accounts, the
incident occurred a few minutes after 10am.
incident occurred a few minutes after 10am.
The driver of the vehicle, identified
as Shola Oladimeji, 53, was said to have rammed into a police post situated on
the side of the bridge before hitting the railings and plunging into the
lagoon.
as Shola Oladimeji, 53, was said to have rammed into a police post situated on
the side of the bridge before hitting the railings and plunging into the
lagoon.
A witness, Soji Ajileye, said, “A few
minutes after 10am, many vehicles on the bridge were speeding as they do after
every environmental sanitation.
minutes after 10am, many vehicles on the bridge were speeding as they do after
every environmental sanitation.
“The driver of the Sienna was on high
speed and he seemed to have lost control and then applied the brakes suddenly.
He hit a police traffic post and then the railings before entering the water.”
speed and he seemed to have lost control and then applied the brakes suddenly.
He hit a police traffic post and then the railings before entering the water.”
It was learnt that fortunately for the
driver, fishermen on the lagoon rushed to the spot.
driver, fishermen on the lagoon rushed to the spot.
The fishermen were said to have broken
the glass of the vehicle and rescued the victim.
the glass of the vehicle and rescued the victim.
The incident caused a traffic snarl
from the bridge all the way to Ogudu as motorists parked their vehicles to take
pictures.
from the bridge all the way to Ogudu as motorists parked their vehicles to take
pictures.
The Lagos State Traffic Management
Authority, the Federal Road Safety Corps officials, fire service officials,
policemen and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps later came to the scene
to evacuate the vehicle.
Authority, the Federal Road Safety Corps officials, fire service officials,
policemen and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps later came to the scene
to evacuate the vehicle.
A boat belonging to the Lagos State
Water Authority removed the vehicle from the water while a towing vehicle on
the bridge pulled it to the surface.
Water Authority removed the vehicle from the water while a towing vehicle on
the bridge pulled it to the surface.
The General Manager, Lagos State
Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Femi Oke-Osayintolu, said the driver had been
taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital for treatment.
Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Femi Oke-Osayintolu, said the driver had been
taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital for treatment.
The Lagos Sector Commander, FRSC,
Nseobong Akpabio, confirmed to our correspondent on the telephone, that the
accident was caused by high speed.
Nseobong Akpabio, confirmed to our correspondent on the telephone, that the
accident was caused by high speed.
Akpabio said although the driver was
the lone occupant of the vehicle, local divers were still searching the water
if there were other victims.
the lone occupant of the vehicle, local divers were still searching the water
if there were other victims.
“The accident could have been
prevented if not for high speed. Motorists should be careful on the road and
drive with caution,” he said.
prevented if not for high speed. Motorists should be careful on the road and
drive with caution,” he said.
When our correspondent visited LASUTH
on Saturday evening, Oladimeji has been discharged.
on Saturday evening, Oladimeji has been discharged.
Source:
Punch
Punch
