By Ade Oyeyemi
A passenger has died after reportedly jumping out of a moving commercial bus as the vehicle went out of control and crashed into a median pole in Lagos State.
The fatal incident occurred around Ogunlana Junction, inward Ojuelegba, along the Surulere axis, and involved a Volkswagen commercial bus with registration number LND 130 XR.
The Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.
Taofiq said preliminary findings indicated that the bus driver was allegedly driving recklessly and may have been under the influence of alcohol before the crash.
According to him, motorists approaching the commercial vehicle from behind were forced to exercise caution as they tried to avoid a collision with the reportedly erratic bus.
The situation, however, took a tragic turn when one of the passengers allegedly jumped from the moving vehicle in an attempt to escape.
The passenger reportedly sustained serious injuries after hitting the ground and later died from the injuries.
Taofiq said LASTMA officials carrying out routine traffic surveillance in the area quickly responded after noticing the crash.
He said the officers secured the scene, introduced emergency traffic-control measures and cleared the damaged vehicle and the deceased from the road to prevent another accident.
Personnel from the Area C Police Division, Ojuelegba, provided security at the scene, while officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency evacuated the remains of the victim.
Reacting to the incident, the LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, urged motorists, particularly commercial vehicle operators, to ensure that their vehicles were properly inspected before embarking on journeys.
He specifically advised drivers to pay attention to critical components such as brakes, tyres and steering systems, noting that mechanical defects could worsen the consequences of road crashes.
Bakare-Oki expressed sympathy to the family of the deceased and reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to responding promptly to road emergencies, managing traffic effectively and clearing accident scenes to reduce the risk of secondary crashes.
Taofiq also warned motorists against driving under the influence of alcohol or engaging in reckless driving, urging them to prioritise the safety of passengers and other road users.
