A passenger has died after jumping from a moving commercial bus that later crashed into a median pole at Ogunlana Junction, inward Ojuelegba, in the Surulere area of Lagos State.
The Punch reported that the incident was confirmed by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority in a statement issued on Sunday by its Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq.
According to the agency, the crash involved a Volkswagen commercial bus with registration number LND 130 XR, which reportedly veered off course and rammed into a median pole around Ogunlana Junction, inward Ojuelegba, in the Fallout area of Surulere.
Preliminary security reports indicated that the driver was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and had been driving recklessly shortly before the accident.
LASTMA said motorists approaching from behind the vehicle had to exercise caution in an attempt to avoid colliding with the erratically driven bus.
The agency said the situation caused panic, during which a male passenger jumped out of the moving vehicle in an apparent attempt to escape.
“In the ensuing pandemonium, a male passenger, apparently attempting to escape from the uncontrolled moving vehicle, jumped out of the bus and sustained grievous injuries upon impact with the ground.
“Tragically, the passenger subsequently succumbed to the injuries sustained in the incident. LASTMA personnel conducting routine traffic surveillance and monitoring along the Ojuelegba axis swiftly mobilised to the scene upon sighting the crash,” the statement read.
LASTMA officials immediately moved to secure the scene, manage traffic and remove the damaged bus and the deceased passenger from the carriageway to prevent another accident.
Security personnel from the Area C Police Division, Ojuelegba, also provided cover at the scene, while officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency evacuated the remains of the deceased.
LASTMA described the incident as another warning about the dangers associated with drunk driving, reckless motoring and the use of vehicles with mechanical defects on public roads.
The agency’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, urged commercial and private motorists to properly inspect their vehicles before every journey, particularly the braking system, tyres, steering and other vital components.
Bakare-Oki condoled with the family of the deceased and reiterated LASTMA’s commitment to responding promptly to road incidents, managing traffic effectively and clearing accident scenes quickly to protect lives.
He also urged motorists and other road users to report accidents, vehicle breakdowns, traffic incidents and obstructions to LASTMA through its toll-free short code, 3367.
