Ikorodu road crash claims 8-month-old baby, woman, injures 10 others
A tragic road accident along Ikorodu Road on Sunday claimed the lives of an eight-month-old baby and an adult woman, while ten other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the fatal collision occurred opposite Olabode House, between the Anthony and Obanikoro areas of Lagos.
According to LASTMA, a red Tata commercial bus travelling from Palmgroove towards Anthony at an excessive speed reportedly lost control, crossed the median barrier and rammed into an oncoming Volkswagen commercial bus heading from Anthony towards Palmgroove.
The impact of the collision was severe, resulting in the instant death of an adult female passenger in the Volkswagen bus. An eight-month-old baby girl later succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.
LASTMA operatives, in collaboration with members of the public, promptly carried out rescue operations at the scene. A total of ten victims, including the drivers of both vehicles, were rescued with serious injuries. Six passengers were extricated from the Volkswagen bus, while four others were rescued from the Tata bus.
To prevent further accidents, LASTMA officials cordoned off the affected area and evacuated the wrecked vehicles, thereby restoring traffic flow along the busy Ikorodu Road corridor.
The injured victims were transported by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention, while officials of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) evacuated the remains of the deceased. Officers of the Ilupeju Police Division provided security throughout the operation.
Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families, particularly the mother of the deceased infant, who also sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving treatment.
Bakare-Oki described the accident as a painful reminder of the dangers of reckless driving and urged motorists, especially commercial drivers, to strictly adhere to speed limits and ensure regular vehicle maintenance, with particular attention to braking systems.
He warned that speeding and poor vehicle roadworthiness remain major causes of fatal accidents on Lagos roads, stressing that such negligence often results in irreversible consequences.
LASTMA reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives through proactive traffic management, rapid emergency response and continuous public enlightenment, while calling on all road users to prioritise safety at all times.
