Two persons die in train, bus collision in Lagos

Etim Epkimah

Two persons have died when a bus with number plate GGE 972 GE veered into the rail tracks while crossing the railway line at Public Words Department (PWD) inward Oshodi and subsequently collided with a commuter train.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, who were at the scene of the accident, noted that they received distress calls through their 767/112 Toll Free Lines at 8.12am that an adult male had died from the bus and train collision.

Head, Public Affairs, LASEMA, Nosa Okunbor, said two occupants of the second vehicle, a Toyota Highlander Jeep, sustained severe injuries in the crash.

“Upon arrival at the incident scene, it was discovered that a white bus with number plate GGE 972 GE had veered onto the rail tracks while crossing the railway line at PWD inward Oshodi and subsequently collided with a scheduled commuter train.

“The bus was then dragged along by the train for a stretch of the journey before managing to come to a complete halt at Oshodi under bridge.

“However, as at 10 am, additional investigation revealed a second vehicle’s involvement. The Highlander Jeep was also discovered to be involved in the collision with two occupants sustaining severe injuries leading to one fatality before the other was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment,” Okunbor added.

He stated that the she suspected owner and driver of the Toyota Highlander, who lost his life, was alleged to have had earpieces inserted in his ears and could not hear the approaching train.

According to Okunbor, the occupants of the jeep were oblivious of the bus that was being dragged along the track by the train as they did not hear the screamed warnings to make a quick escape.

He said, “One of the severely injured passengers of the jeep has since lost his life, while the other, is still receiving treatment.

“Further investigations conducted revealed that the second incident occurred in front of the Nigerian Army Shopping Arena, Bolade, Oshodi

“It was also gathered that while the train was pulling the aforementioned bus, it also crashed into a stationery Toyota Highlander jeep with number plate FST 763 FL, the driver of the Toyota Highlander jeep lost his life during the incident, while his son, who was with him in the Jeep was taken to ‘One Life’ private hospital, opposite Arena, Bolade, Oshodi.

“LASEMA Response Team has recovered the accidented bus and the Highlander jeep at the second scene of incident, so as to prevent secondary incident”.

He added that the wreckages from the train accident has been safely recovered by the agency, eliminating any chance of a secondary incident.

Okunbor warned members of the public, especially drivers of commuter buses to obey traffic regulations and be vigilant to prevent injuries and fatalities.