Elderly passenger dies as speedy truck overturns in Lagos
An elderly man has died after a fully loaded truck overturned along the Gbagada-Oshodi route in Lagos State.
The accident occurred on Sunday around the TREM area of Gbagada, inward Oshodi, involving a Mercedes-Benz six-wheel truck carrying assorted goods, including sealed bags and newly branded event chairs.
*Scene of the clash
Etim Ekpimah
An elderly man has died after a fully loaded truck overturned along the Gbagada-Oshodi route in Lagos State.
The accident occurred on Sunday around the TREM area of Gbagada, inward Oshodi, involving a Mercedes-Benz six-wheel truck carrying assorted goods, including sealed bags and newly branded event chairs.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) revealed this in a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq.
According to the authority, preliminary investigations indicated that the truck was travelling at considerable speed when one of its front tyres suddenly burst, causing the driver to lose control and the vehicle to overturn.
An elderly male passenger seated in the front cabin was reportedly thrown out of the truck during the accident and struck his head against a sharp object.
“The impact proved fatal, resulting in his instantaneous death,” LASTMA said.
The authority said its Night Rescue Team, which was conducting surveillance along major traffic corridors, promptly arrived at the scene and secured the area.
The operatives evacuated the deceased from the road to a Lagos State Emergency Medical Services ambulance to prevent further exposure and possible secondary accidents.
Personnel of the Pedro Police Division and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also assisted in the rescue operation.
LASTMA explained that the overturned truck could not be immediately removed because of the volume and nature of its cargo. It said arrangements were being made to transfer the goods into another vehicle before recovering the truck.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the deceased’s family, describing the incident as a painful and avoidable loss.
He warned heavy-duty vehicle operators against speeding, noting that excessive speed reduces reaction time, undermines vehicle stability and increases the severity of road accidents.
Bakare-Oki said the consequences of the crash might have been less severe if the driver had maintained a controlled speed, despite the sudden tyre burst.
He urged truck operators, commercial transporters and other motorists to observe responsible driving practices and conduct regular vehicle inspections, particularly checking tyres, braking systems and other critical components before embarking on journeys.
He also advised drivers to remain calm and apply appropriate vehicle-control techniques when confronted with sudden mechanical failures.
The LASTMA boss stressed that vehicle roadworthiness, moderate speed and compliance with traffic regulations were essential to preventing accidents, particularly on busy urban highways.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to traffic surveillance, emergency response and collaboration with other relevant agencies to protect lives and maintain safety on Lagos roads.
