Eight dead as multiple trucks collide on Lagos-Ibadan expressway

Eight people have been reported dead after trucks were involved in multiple collisions on Kara Bridge, inward Mowe, along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

The accidents have caused gridlock and bedlam along the expressway, especially around the Kara axis, with adjoining routes also affected.

In a post published on X on Thursday, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said a truck and a container-laden trailer went up in flames due to an accident.

Another truck conveying cartons of biscuits spilled its contents along the road, while another container-laden trailer crashed into the bridge barrier before tipping into the river.

The traffic agency relayed that eight casualties were recorded from the multiple accidents.

“There’s a report of a multiple road crash where a truck and a container laden trailer were in flames, another truck spilling its contents (cartons of biscuits) on the road, a container laden truck ran onto the barrier with its carrier falling off the bridge into the river thereby blocking the entire road at Kara Bridge inward Mowe,” the statement reads.

“8 casualties recorded. Effort is on top gear for recovery and evacuation of the vehicles involved. Traffic backlog on Ogunnusi road Lagos-Ibadan Express way. Officers and other emergency first responders are on ground.”

On Wednesday evening, there was another collision between two heavy-duty vehicles along Otedola Bridge, inward Berger–Ojodu corridor in Lagos.

LASTMA said the accident, which involved a 14-tyre Scania truck laden with tonnes of wheat and a 6-tyre Iveco mini-truck transporting cartons of Gala sausage rolls, “occurred when both vehicles reportedly engaged in a perilous contest for the Right of Way. The ensuing impact was violent, resulting in significant vehicular damage and the severe injury of one of the drivers”.