A couple, alongside two other passengers, suffered severe injuries when a drunk driver conveying them rammed into a pole in the Alausa area of Ikeja, Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro learnt from a statement by the spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Adebayo Taofiq, on Sunday, that the driver of the vehicle, a commercial bus with number plate KTU 69 YJ, was under the influence of alcohol when he rammed into the pole.
He stressed that occupants of the vehicle, which included the couple, suffered severe injuries and were swiftly rescued by LASTMA operatives in the area.
Taofiq stated, “Preliminary investigations revealed that the driver, grievously impaired by alcohol, lost vehicular control and violently rammed into a streetlight pole.
“The ferocity of the impact triggered widespread alarm and resulted in significant injuries to several passengers, notably a couple seated in the middle row.
“Thanks to the rapid and professionally coordinated intervention of LASTMA operatives stationed nearby, four severely injured individuals, including the aforementioned couple, along with one male and one female passenger, were swiftly extricated from the wreckage, administered emergency care, and stabilised on-site.”
Taofiq stated that the victims were rescued at the Trauma and Emergency Centre at the Toll Gate area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway by emergency responders.
“They were subsequently transferred to the Lagos State Ambulance Service, which conveyed them to the Trauma and Emergency Centre at the Toll Gate for specialised medical attention. Fortunately, the remaining passengers sustained no serious injuries.
“Throughout the rescue operation, officers of the Alausa Division of the Nigeria Police Force maintained a secure perimeter, ensuring the safety of responders and the preservation of the accident scene,” Taofiq noted.
Reacting to the incident, the LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, warned drivers against driving when drunk, stressing that “LASTMA’s Monitoring and Surveillance Unit remains actively engaged with drivers in motor parks across the State, reinforcing the Agency’s signature campaign: ‘Don’t Drink and Drive.’
He extended heartfelt sympathies to the injured passengers and conveyed his earnest wishes for their swift and complete recovery.
PUNCH Metro reported on May 12 that two people lost their lives in an accident that occurred on the Eko Bridge, Lagos State.
Taofiq stated that the accident occurred when one of the truck drivers allegedly slept off and rammed into another truck.
The impact of the collision led to the dislodgement of a 20-foot container which fell and crushed two people.
Credit: punchng.com
