A commercial bus and a mini-truck conveying margarine collided on the Arepo end of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday evening.
PUNCH Metro learnt that one passengers was killed, while seven others sustained burns.
Eyewitnesses alleged that the accident was caused by a truck laden with noodles.
An eyewitness, Thomas Adelakun, said,
“Trucks usually park on the side of the road. Around 5.45pm, one of the
trucks was attempting to negotiate into the expressway but did not
observe oncoming traffic.
“A passenger bus and a mini-truck laden
with margarine, both on top speed, were driving by when the truck
swerved in their direction. In a bid to avoid the truck, the bus swerved
and ran into the mini truck.
“The truck sped off. The margarine truck caught fire and it spread to the passenger bus.”
PUNCH Metro learnt that the three occupants of the mini-truck came out alive but sustained severe burns.
The passengers of the bus were not as
fortunate as the bus fell on its side, making it almost impossible for
them to escape from the fire.
The driver of the bus exited the bus with injuries.
A few minutes later, policemen attached
to the Ibafo Police Division and some rescue officials rushed to the
scene and rescued five passengers from the bus.
“One of the passengers was screaming for
help but unfortunately, no one could help him. He was roasted before
the police arrived,” an eyewitness said.
A senior police officer, who wished to
remain anonymous, said, “Four women, two children and one official of
the Federal Road Safety Corps were injured. They have been rushed to a
hospital in Ibafo.
“Rescue efforts are still on but one corpse has been roasted inside the fire.”
The accident caused a gridlock on both sides of the expressway as motorists drove against the traffic.
As of 8.30pm, efforts were still being made to put out the flames.
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