At midnight on Sunday, a fully laden Mercedes‑Benz six‑tyre truck (registration ABJ 37 AC) overturned at the TREM axis of Gbagada, inward Oshodi, Lagos, killing an elderly passenger who was thrown from the front cabin and struck his head on a sharp object.
The vehicle, carrying assorted consignments that included sealed bags and newly branded event chairs, was travelling at a considerable speed when its front tyre suddenly burst. The driver lost control, and in the struggle to stabilise the truck the passenger was flung out, where the impact proved fatal.
“Security findings indicate that the truck, which was conveying assorted consignments, including numerous sealed bags and newly branded event chairs, was travelling at considerable speed when its front tyre suddenly burst. This resulted in the driver losing control of the vehicle. In the ensuing struggle to stabilise the truck, an elderly male passenger seated in the front cabin was flung out of the vehicle and struck his head against a sharp object. The impact proved fatal, resulting in his instantaneous death,” said LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare‑Oki.
LASTMA’s night rescue team, conducting strategic surveillance across major traffic corridors, quickly mobilised to the scene, cordoned off the busy carriageway and evacuated the deceased to a Lagos State Emergency Medical Services (SEHMU) ambulance. The operation received support from Pedro Police Division and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.
Because of the truck’s heavy and bulky cargo, the vehicle could not be recovered immediately. The consignments were transloaded into another empty truck before the damaged vehicle was fully retrieved.
Bakare‑Oki warned against speeding, describing it as a dangerous driving disposition that reduces reaction time, compromises vehicle stability, and aggravates the severity of incidents, especially when mechanical failures occur. He urged operators of heavy‑duty vehicles, commercial transporters and all motorists to adopt responsible driving practices, conduct regular mechanical inspections, and pay close attention to tyre conditions, braking systems and other critical components before setting out.
“Drivers must exercise exceptional composure and appropriate vehicle‑control techniques whenever confronted with sudden mechanical complications, rather than allowing speeding to transform an otherwise manageable mechanical failure into a fatal tragedy,” he added.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
