TheCable

A diesel-laden tanker fell on Otedola bridge in Lagos state on Friday evening, worsening the traffic jam.

Although emergency responders got to the site on time to control the situation, there was resultant traffic that stretched as far back as Ilubirin and Obalende.

TheCable gathered that the truck suffered brake failure. Some commuters along that axis were reported to have walked from Ketu to Secretariat with the hope of getting buses to Berger, Ibafo and environs.

A commuter, who spoke to TheCable, said she would have to postpone getting home till Saturday morning.

“I left the office at 5:20pm. Got to Secretariat pedestrian bridge and there was no vehicle to Berger,” the commuter identified as Ufuosuo Da-Clarke said.

“Bikes were available but they were only willing to go to Berger at N500 to Berger, a route is normally N100.

“I waited there till 7:20 or thereabouts and turned back. Even the alternative road beside Magodo leading to Otedola Bridge was thick. I turned back because normally there’s a traffic jam at Berger because of the road demarcation.”

Another commuter, who identified himself as Julius, said he trekked from Alapere to Berger, a distance of 11.8 kilometers.

Here are photos of the gridlock:

The diesel tanker that fell on Otedola bridge

Aerial view of gridlock at Berger bridge

VIDEO: Scene of the tanker accident on #Otedola Bridge, four hours after incident@lasemasocial @followlastma @FRSCNigeria pic.twitter.com/u5R9E612Iw

— TheCable (@thecableng) September 20, 2019

VIDEO: The moment #Otedola bridge was re-opened @lasemasocial @followlastma @FRSCNigeria pic.twitter.com/4PwQnScbzn

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— TheCable (@thecableng) September 20, 2019

According to a tweet on the official Twitter handle of the Lagos State Traffic Management, the tanker was finally evacuated at 9:40pm, an estimated five hours after the incident occurred.

“The heavy traffic though hindering movements, was no major obstacle to quick recovery, as all emergency responders were activated swung into action with trans loading of content taking place, while the Lagos State Fire Brigade was blanketing the entire scene to prevent the truck from exploding with its content, as LASEMA in proactive mode made alternative arrangements to recover the disengaged truck trunk from the road to ensure free flow of traffic,” LASEMA, another agency said.

“The immediate cause of the incidence was due to mechanical error (brake failure) which made the truck trunk fall off and spill its contents due to impact with the road but was successfully recovered at exactly 8:30 p.m whilst Physical assessment was also conducted to avert the occurrence of a fire incident.”

Exactly sixteen days ago, a diesel-laden tanker fell at Ibafo after an accident between two trucks.