A tragic road accident on Saturday claimed the lives of three students of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology Ikorodu, while seven others sustained serious injuries after a sand-laden truck lost control at the Powerline Junction area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.
The spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the incident in a statement.
According to him, the truck driver was reportedly speeding when the vehicle experienced a brake failure, causing it to veer uncontrollably into several vehicles and tricycles along the busy route.
“It was a heartbreaking scene. Three young students, two male and one female, died instantly when the tipper truck rammed into multiple vehicles,” Taofiq said.
“Seven others, including tricycle operators and passengers, were rushed to nearby hospitals with severe injuries.”
The crash involved an unregistered sand tipper truck, a Toyota Corolla with registration number SMK 42 AJ, a commercial bus, and four tricycles.
Emergency responders, including LASTMA officers, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the Police, were said to have worked together to rescue survivors and evacuate the bodies to the General Hospital, Ikorodu mortuary.
LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed sorrow over the incident, describing it as avoidable.
“This tragedy is painful, especially because it could have been prevented. Overspeeding, poor vehicle maintenance, and faulty brakes continue to cause needless deaths,” Bakare-Oki stated.
“We commiserate with the families of the students and pray for the quick recovery of those injured.”
The accident comes barely a day after another truck reportedly lost control along the Otedola Bridge axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, injuring several people.
