Two people have sustained severe burn injuries after a diesel-laden tanker plunged from Otedola Bridge in Lagos and caught fire beneath the bridge.
The victims were rescued by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other emergency responders before being evacuated to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre, Toll-Gate, for immediate medical attention.
LASTMA disclosed this in a statement on Monday, noting that the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency’s Rescue Unit transported the victims to the medical facility.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also deployed personnel to contain and extinguish the inferno, preventing further escalation and potential damage to surrounding infrastructure.
Other agencies involved in the rescue and firefighting operations included the Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency and police personnel from the Alausa Police Division.
Commending the emergency responders, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, praised their promptness and professionalism, noting that their coordinated efforts facilitated the rescue and evacuation of the injured victims.
Bakare-Oki also wished the victims a speedy and complete recovery, emphasising the importance of rapid emergency response and collaboration among relevant agencies in managing road traffic incidents.
The authority urged motorists, particularly operators of heavy-duty and articulated vehicles, to conduct regular mechanical inspections, comply with prescribed safety standards and adopt responsible driving practices to prevent avoidable road crashes.
