LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has said its officials rescued three severely injured accident victims at Moshalashi Roundabout, inward Iyana-Ipaja area of Lagos.
The management further disclosed that one of the rescued passengers who was found with over 100 baby Diapers and a large sum of money, has been handed over to the Police for further interrogation.
In a statement signed earlier today by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, preliminary investigation carried out by the Authority revealed that over-speeding was the cause of the accident.
“Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) today rescued 3 severely injured accident victims (2 males & a female) at Mosalasi Round-About inward Iyana-Ipaja area of Lagos,” Taofiq said.
“Lastma Akanji Wasiu (Bravo 16) who led the rescue operations confirmed that the accident involved 3 vehicles, Mazda commercial bus (FKJ 88 XH), Tricycle (Keke Marwa KJA 369 QM) and a white Camry car (KJA 351 HG) on main carriage way at Iyana-Ipaja area of Lagos.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of a white Camry car lost control due to overspeeding and hit a commercial tricycle from the rear while the tricycle went off balance and obstructed another upcoming fully loaded Mazda commercial bus going to Iyana-Ipaja.
“Those rescued 3 accident victims were immediately rushed to different Hospitals by their relatives but unfortunately, one of those rescued (male) reportedly died along the road to hospital.”
According to LASTMA, those vehicles involved in the accident were immediately removed from the road to avoid traffic and handed over to Policemen from Gowon Estate Divisional Police Headquarters for further investigations.
“One of the passengers (suspected ritualist) inside the commercial tricycle involved in the accident was caught with more than 100 pieces of used small children’s ‘pampers’ with huge sums of money of different denominations was immediately handed over to Police men at the scene of the accident.”
The General Manager (G.M) of LASTMA, Bolaji Oreagba, added that it was a ‘man-made’ accident that could have been prevented if over-speeding was avoided by the driver.
Oreagba maintained that the Lagos State government embarked on regular public education on the danger inherent in over-speeding by both private, commercial, and truck drivers across the State.
He urged motorists to ensure that their vehicles are in good condition, particularly the brake, before driving on Lagos roads.