Lagos: Four Killed, 16 Injured in Fatal Accident At Lekki Toll Gate

No fewer than four persons were on Sunday killed in a fatal accident at the Lekki Toll gate, Lagos State, which also left 16 others with varying degrees of injuries.

The casualties, whose identities were yet to be ascertained, were passengers of a Lexus SUV GX470 with registration number KJA 615 DF and a commercial bus marked KRE 302XA.

The incident, which occurred at about 6.42 a.m. at one of the toll centres in the areas, was said to have been caused by the driver of the Lexus SUV, who was at neck-breaking speed and rammed into the commercial bus.

The commercial bus had barely been cleared by the toll gate attendant when the driver of the Lexus SUV, who was driving against the traffic rammed into the bus causing two to die on the spot while two others, including a lady, who later died at the Lagos General Hospital.

The severely 16 injured people, including the driver of the SUV, were later evacuated to the general hospital for medical attention.

According to the General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr. Adesina Tiamiyu, they were alerted at about 6.49a.m. via the emergency toll free line 112/767of the accident.

He said this prompted the immediate activation of the Agency's Response Team, other emergency responders and the security operatives to the scene of the incident accordingly.

Tiamiyu said the investigation carried out by the agency's response team on getting to the scene of the incident revealed that a Lexus SUV GX470, while plying one way, ran into a commercial bus that was just cleared by the ticketing officers at the toll gate.

He said: "A total of four fatalities was recorded which include three adult male and an adult female.

"16 other casualties with severe injuries were recorded including four adult females and 12 adult males. The driver of the SUV was transported to the General Hospital at Marina.

"The LASEMA Response Team alongside LASAMBUS, RRS, Nigeria Police Force, State Environmental Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) and LCCI were responders present at the scene of the incident.

"Emergency/security operatives were involved in traffic management measures to forestall the occurrence of a secondary accident, crowd control, giving medical care to the casualties and subsequently moved them down to the General Hospital at Marina and Trauma Centre at Toll Gate for further treatments.

"The (two adult male) who died at the scene were subsequently handed over to SEHMU while the remaining two (an adult male and an adult female) were later confirmed dead.

"The vehicles were taken off the road with the aid of the  agency's  light tow truck and subsequently handed  over to LCC officials who moved them down to Maroko Police station."

Tiamiyu further urged motorists to always endeavor to apply caution when driving on highways as well as abstain from drinking alcohol before driving.

He noted that motorists should also ensure road worthiness of their vehicles before embarking on journeys to avoid unnecessary loss of lives

He however added that this particular incident will be investigated by the security operatives while the state government would also ensure the prosecution of the culprit to serve as deterrence to other errant motorists.