The driver of the BRT bus carrying employees of the Lagos State Government that collided with a train has begged the victims of the accident to forgive him.
The BRT vehicle collided with a train at the PWD/ Shogunle railway line on the Agege freeway in Lagos on Thursday.
The bus conveying the state government workers from Ikotun to the Alausa Secretariat in Ikeja when the accident happened.
Around 79 of the 85 people on board the bus are said to be receiving treatment for different degrees of injuries, at different hospitals including Gbagada General Hospital, Agege General Hospital, and the trauma center close to the Lagos toll gate.
The 44-year-old driver identified as Oluwaseun Osinbajo was driving the bus while wearing headphones which is suspected to be the reason he did not hear the hooting of the approaching train.
He did not also pay attention to the railway worker with a red flag signalling him to halt.
The driver who is currently under investigation, claimed that the accident was caused by a mechanical fault.
Reports say that Osinbajo, who works with the Lagos State Ministry of Transport, is currently in the custody of the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department.
According to a report by Vanguard, the government’s driver was overheard telling some of his family members that he didn’t ignore warning signs as it was widely reported. He was also overheard asking the victims to forgive him.
“It was not my fault. How could I have ignored warning signs? The bus had a mechanical fault,”Osinbajo was quoted as saying.
“It is a pity this has happened. I beg everyone affected to please forgive me in the name of God.”
Related story:
BRT/Train Accident: Survivors Recount How The Tragedy Occurred
‘Please Forgive Me in The Name of God’ – BRT Driver Begs Victims