A vehicle yesterday skidded off the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge and plunged into the lagoon.
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), while confirming the incident, stated that the accident happened at the Adekunle junction of the bridge.
"A private vehicle fell into the water. Rescue people have sighted the vehicle and are trying to pull it out," said Sadiq Abdulrahman, FRSC Unit Commander Lagos Island.
NE learnt that the vehicle, a gold-coloured Toyota Sienna with number-plate, EKY974BB, was on high speed inward Oworo Shola when the incident occurred.
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), while confirming the incident, stated that the accident happened at the Adekunle junction of the bridge.
"A private vehicle fell into the water. Rescue people have sighted the vehicle and are trying to pull it out," said Sadiq Abdulrahman, FRSC Unit Commander Lagos Island.
NE learnt that the vehicle, a gold-coloured Toyota Sienna with number-plate, EKY974BB, was on high speed inward Oworo Shola when the incident occurred.
According to eyewitness’ accounts, the 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.
A witness, Soji Ajileye, said, “A few
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.”
It was learnt that fortunately for the 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 incident caused a traffic snarl 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.
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.
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.
The Lagos Sector Commander, FRSC,
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 accident could have been 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.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
Where are the pictures of the scene now?
ReplyDeleteNo be small thing. No pictures
ReplyDeleteQuick response to emergency situation. May God bless and reward everyone that participated in the rescue mission (including LASTMA).....
ReplyDeletewhere the carrrrr,
ReplyDeleteNa aw 4 nigerianeye o, na canoe plunge in2 d lagoon abi na Sienna cos as far as am concern there's no sign of any vehicle in d picture I saw.
ReplyDelete