A newlywed couple and 16 other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries following a multi-vehicle accident on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos, on Saturday.
The couple were returning from the Ikoyi Marriage Registry to the Mainland when the incident occurred.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the incident in a statement, revealing that the accident was caused by a brake failure on a commercial LT bus, which collided with a mini truck.
According to Taofiq, the mini truck, bearing the number plate ‘AGL 22 YE’, and the LT bus, with registration number ‘BFG 204 XF’, were involved in the collision.
The LT bus, which was reportedly speeding, lost control after its brakes failed and rammed into the mini truck, which was moving slowly due to a mechanical fault.
Taofiq said, “The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, in collaboration with emergency response agencies, today orchestrated the successful rescue of 18 individuals involved in a serious vehicular collision on the Third Mainland Bridge, near Ilaje, heading towards Iyana Oworonsoki.
“Among the victims were a newlywed couple returning to the mainland from the Ikoyi Marriage Registry.
“The accident, which involved a mini truck (AGL 22 YE) and a commercial LT bus (BFG 204 XF), was attributed to a brake failure on the LT bus, which was travelling at excessive speed. The bus collided with the mini truck, which was moving slowly due to mechanical difficulties.
“A total of 16 passengers seated in the rear of the LT bus, 11 women and 5 men, sustained significant injuries and were swiftly transported to the Lagos State Trauma and Emergency Centre near the Toll Gate on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway for urgent medical care.”
The collision left 16 passengers in the rear of the LT bus—comprising 11 women and 5 men—with serious injuries.