Truck kills toddler, two others on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway

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An articulated truck has crushed three people, including a toddler and two adults, to death at the Toll-Gate section of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

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PUNCH Online learnt on Friday from the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, that the accident occurred at about 2 pm.

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According to Akinbiyi, six other persons sustained varying degrees of injuries in the accident, which involved 15 people.

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He explained that eyewitnesses reported that the articulated truck suffered brake failure before ramming into multiple vehicles and passengers who were waiting to board a bus at the bus stop.

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He said, “A fatal road traffic accident occurred at the Toll-Gate along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. It involved a white Howo Sino truck with number plate T4995LA, two yellow commercial buses with number plates SMK 199YK and AGL394YA, an LT commercial bus with number plate FKJ 360YH, and two Suzuki yellow buses with number plates 98YL and KSF 23YA.

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“According to eyewitness accounts, the Howo truck suffered brake failure, subsequently crushing victims who were attempting to board a bus and damaging several vehicles in its path.”

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Akinbiyi added that three of the victims died in the crash while six others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

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“Fifteen people were involved; six commuters were injured while three others, a toddler and two adults, died,” he added.

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The TRACE spokesperson, while commiserating with the families of the deceased, warned articulated vehicle owners to ensure that their vehicles were properly maintained before embarking on trips.

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“Articulated vehicle drivers are again charged to ensure proper maintenance of their vehicles as and when due in view of their attendant challenges.

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“Moreover, traders who display their wares on walkways and roadsides are also advised to remove them in view of the consequences,” Akinbiyi said.

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Barely two weeks ago, six people lost their lives in a similar accident at the same toll gate.

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PUNCH Online reported that a truck conveying oil lost its brakes and crushed the victims to death.

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Following the incident, Ogun State Government officials who visited the scene ordered the removal of traders who ply their trades at the bus stop.

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