Motorists on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway faced severe delays on Wednesday morning due to a series of accidents on the Kara Bridge, effectively halting traffic on one of Nigeria’s busiest routes.
Details of the Incidents
The accidents involved a mix of heavy-duty trucks carrying containers and lighter vehicles. Seven vehicles were implicated in two separate collisions:
- A Volks Wagen Bus (KJA436YD)
- A Nissan Urvan (CO1203Rs)
- Two articulated Mack Trucks (one with T17083LA, the other unregistered)
- An Iveco articulated truck (KMC594ZQ)
- A Toyota Hiace bus (14C241DT)
- A Sino articulated truck (AAB440XC)
Casualties and Immediate Response
Tragically, one fatality was reported from the first crash, which occurred at midnight. “The bus driver died on the spot, and his body was taken by the park association,” confirmed Kehinde Hamzat, the Lagos Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). Four others sustained injuries.
The second crash happened shortly after but fortunately resulted in no additional fatalities.
Cause and Traffic Management
Overspeeding was cited as the primary cause of these accidents, leading to a loss of vehicle control. At the scene, FRSC officials along with police were actively working to clear the road and manage the resulting chaos.
Traffic Impact and Recommendations
By the time of reporting, traffic was completely stalled, with backups reaching as far as the 7up area for those leaving Lagos. The FRSC’s Lagos Sector Commander urged drivers not to panic, assuring that professionals and equipment were being mobilized for recovery operations. Motorists with time-sensitive commitments were advised to seek alternative routes or delay their travel until the situation was under control.
