A yet-to-be-identified man was rescued in the early hours of Saturday after a container-laden truck crushed a Toyota Sienna minivan along Ikorodu Road in Lagos.
The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. at the Idi-Iroko area, inbound Maryland, when a fully loaded 40-foot Mack truck reportedly lost control and its container toppled onto the minivan with registration number LSR 267 GZ.
According to the spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, the truck suffered brake failure due to alleged excessive speeding, causing the container to dislodge and fall on the minivan.
Responding swiftly to distress calls, the LASTMA midnight surveillance and rescue team arrived at the scene and commenced a painstaking rescue operation using specialized equipment.
“The officers acted with urgency and precision. Despite the complexity of the situation, they were able to successfully extract the trapped male occupant from the wreckage,” Taofiq stated.
He added that officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Services provided immediate medical attention to the rescued victim at the scene.
The truck driver, however, reportedly fled the scene, possibly to evade mob action or legal consequences. Authorities have since towed the mangled minivan to the Anthony Police Station, while the truck and its detached container were moved to LASTMA’s operational base for further investigation.
The Acting General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commended the professionalism and resilience of the emergency response team, noting that their intervention helped restore order between 1:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m.
“This unfortunate event once again underscores the grave dangers posed by vehicle negligence, reckless driving, and habitual speeding,” Bakare-Oki said.
“We urge all truck operators to prioritize safety and adhere strictly to traffic regulations to prevent avoidable tragedies on our roads.”