Trailer falls off bridge, kills three in Lagos

No fewer than three people were killed on Wednesday after a container on a 40-feet trailer fell off the Ojuelegba Bridge onto the road below. PUNCH Metro learnt that the container, which was not latched to the trailer, crushed two private vehicles which were in motion. The vehicles, a white Toyota and a black jeep, were reportedly mangled under the weight of the container.A crowd of residents and motorists was said to have converged on the scene as there was apprehension on the number of casualties involved in the incident.

The situation was said to have caused traffic snarl in the area as traffic officials had a tough time controlling the number of people trooping the scene and redirecting the traffic.

The driver of the trailer reportedly attempted to escape the scene. He was, however, apprehended by the angry mob.

A witness, who identified himself as Sir J, said the accident happened around 4.50pm.

He said, “It happened around 4.50pm, as we were all in the park doing our businesses.

“The container on the 40-feet trailer suddenly fell off the bridge and crushed two private cars.

Accident scenes

“The driver of the trailer wanted to flee, but we apprehended him. There is chaos everywhere.”

A check on social media by our correspondent showed the accident was already trending, as people called on government officials to intervene.

A resident with the Twitter handle@ lvck_skinhead, wrote, “I just started running, couldn’t even look back; so many injured and dead. I have never been this scared in my life.”

Another resident, Olaseni Oladejo, said one of the cars was mobile when the container fell.

The resident, who wrote on Twitter, said, “The truck container fell on a moving car killing the driver and one passenger.”

The General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Michael Akindele, said three persons died in the incident.

He said, “We are already on the ground and there is a lot of crowd around here.

“Three persons were killed. Rescue operation is still ongoing.”

The spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency, South West zone, Ibrahim Farinloye, said the occupier of the second car escaped unhurt.

He said, “It is one jeep that is under the container. And I was told just one person is inside, but we have yet to ascertain whether it is a man or a woman.

“Rescue officials from the state and federal agencies are on the ground.”

PUNCH