Multiple crashes on the Kara Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway caused heavy traffic on Friday.
The accidents left many motorists stranded for hoursas one person died, while two others suffered injuries.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) urged drivers to use other routes until officials cleared the road.The first crash happened around 12:05 a.m. on the lane leading to Ibadan. It involved five trucks and a Toyota Sienna. FRSC said speeding and loss of control caused the crash.
Seven men were involved in the accident. One person died, another suffered injuries and five escaped without injuries. Rescue workers could not remove the victim immediately because a loaded truck trapped the body.
They brought heavy equipment to complete the recovery.While rescue teams worked at the scene, another crash happened around 3:15 a.m. on the lane leading to Lagos. A Mazda commercial bus lost its brakes and crashed.
The driver suffered serious injuries. FRSC officials rescued him and rushed him to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre for treatment.
FRSC officers worked with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and other rescue teams to remove the damaged vehicles. They also worked to clear the road and restore the normal flow of traffic. However, the crashes caused long traffic queues around the Kara-Ojodu Berger area.
Lagos Sector Commander Kehinde Hamzat expressed sympathy to the families of the victims. He urged drivers to stay calm and follow the instructions of traffic officers.The FRSC advised motorists travelling from Lagos to Ibadan to use the Ikorodu-Sagamu route. Drivers travelling into Lagos should use the Lekki-Epe Expressway or the Ikorodu-Sagamu Expressway where possible.
The agency also reminded truck drivers and commercial bus operators to check their vehicles before every trip. It said regular maintenance, careful driving and obeying speed limits can help prevent road crashes.
