Falling container crushes eight on Lagos bridge

An articulated truck conveying a 20ft container fell on a commercial bus at the Ojuelegba bridge, Lagos on Sunday killing eight occupants.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the truck lost control while ascending the bridge.

“Upon arrival at the scene, a truck conveying a 20ft container was found to have landed on top of a commercial bus.

“Investigation revealed that the bus was picking up passengers when the truck lost control and fell over the side of the bridge.

A total of eight fatalities were recovered, comprising four adult males, two adult females, a girl and a boy.

“After suspending the container load with the aid of LASEMA’s forklift, an adult woman was rescued and taken to the trauma centre,’’ he said.

Oke-Osanyintolu said LASEMA’s heavy-duty ambulance and Lagos State Fire Service were on hand for the rescue operation, just as LASTMA and the police were on the ground to control traffic.