Bus loses propeller, somersaults, 18 passengers escape death

No fewer than 18 persons on Wednesday narrowly escaped death in a motor accident that occurred on the Long Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The PUNCH reports that the white 18-seater Mazda bus with number plate, FKJ285Y, was conveying passengers from Maryland, outward Lagos State, when the accident happened.

The driver of the bus refused to speak with our reporter but one of the survivors, who identified herself only as Bolu said the propeller suddenly loosened on motion after which the vehicle somersaulted.

No casualty was recorded but the victims sustained bruises.

The mother of a six-month-old baby added, “If not for God and the driver, I would have been a dead person by now. We thank God and the driver for not panicking.”

Another passenger named Abubakar, who was travelling to Kebbi State but planned to alight in Ibadan, complained that the money on him could no longer convey him to his destination in Kebbi State.

He said, “I am the saddest person on this bus, the money with me can’t take me to Kebbi anymore. The driver collected N2,600 from us before leaving the park and he was not ready to refund us or call for backup in the park to come and take his stranded passengers.”

Security personnel and some members of the Federal Road Safety Corps were seen coordinating vehicular movement at the scene of the accident.