A fully loaded high-capacity Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicle overturned inside the dedicated BRT lane at Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, resulting in injuries to 10 passengers.
According to an update from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the accident occurred shortly after the bus had departed from the BRT park at Iyana Ipaja.
While giving an update on X, the agency said the bus ran into an abandoned pedestrian bridge foot immediately after the Iyana Ipaja bridge, causing it to tip over onto its side.
In a statement by the Head, Public Affairs, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Nosa Okunbor, the bus with registration number BDG 390 XR, lost control after a hawker with a wheelbarrow reportedly dashed across the BRT corridor.
According to Okunbor, the BRT bus had taken off from Iyana Ipaja Terminal and headed to Obalende when the accident occurred, LEADERSHIP reports.
“Following distress calls to LASEMA, via the 767/112 Toll-Free Emergency lines at 0635hrs, the Agency activated it’s Dolphin Response Team from the Igando Base. Upon arrival of the Dolphin Response Team at the incident scene, the LRT discovered that a fallen BRT Bus registration number BDG 390 XR, loaded to capacity at the above mentioned location.
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The authorities have confirmed that all 10 victims have received necessary medical attention.
LASTMA officials were quickly on the scene to manage the situation and ensure that the victims were promptly taken care of.
Okunbor, further disclosed that the fallen BRT bus had been lifted upright and towed off to a nearby Police Station near Alimosho Roundabout.
“Fortunately, no lives were reported lost due to the incident, though some passengers escaped unhurt, many of the BRT bus passengers reportedly sustained critical injuries and had been taken to an unknown hospital before arrival of the Dolphin Response Team at the incident scene.
“All necessary safety measures has been activated to safeguard responders and road users during the operation. Primary responders at the incident scene are collaborating to ensure a speedy recovery of the fallen BRT bus and restoration of normalcy to the BRT corridor.
“The fallen BRT bus has been lifted upright and towed off to Moshalashi Police Station near Alimosho roundabout with the Tow Truck provided by the officials of NPF at the incident scene.
“Road has been re-opened for vehicular activities. Recovery operation concluded,” the statement added.
