By Gite Igiehon
Society whole Editor
Tragedy struck in the early hours of Sunday on the busy Eko Bridge in Lagos as a 20-foot container fell from a Mack truck and crushed two dispatch riders to death following a collision involving two heavy-duty vehicles.
According to eyewitness accounts, the accident occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. when two Mack trucks collided while attempting to navigate a narrow section of the bridge. The impact of the collision caused one of the trucks to lose control, leading to the detachment and fall of a loaded container from its flatbed.
The container landed directly on two oncoming dispatch riders, who were reportedly heading towards the Island for early morning deliveries. The force of the impact left both victims lifeless at the scene, their motorcycles mangled beneath the massive steel container.
Emergency responders, including officials from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), were quickly dispatched to the scene. Despite their prompt arrival, the victims were pronounced dead on the spot.
In a statement released by LASEMA, the agency confirmed the fatalities and advised motorists to avoid the bridge while efforts were made to clear the wreckage and restore traffic flow.
“Our response team arrived swiftly to manage the situation and coordinate the evacuation. Unfortunately, two persons, identified as commercial dispatch riders, were confirmed dead due to the severe impact of the fallen container,” said Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, Director-General of LASEMA.
Traffic on the bridge was brought to a standstill for several hours, with a long stretch of vehicles stranded as authorities worked to lift the container and remove the damaged trucks and motorcycles. By late morning, one lane of the bridge was reopened to ease congestion.
The identities of the deceased riders have not yet been released, but efforts are ongoing to contact their families through their dispatch firms. Many bystanders and fellow riders expressed shock and frustration, calling for stricter enforcement of safety regulations for container-bearing trucks in Lagos.
This incident adds to a growing list of fatal accidents involving container-laden trucks in Lagos. Despite repeated calls for the use of twist-locks and better vehicle maintenance, many trucks continue to ply the roads without proper safety measures, posing risks to motorists and pedestrians alike.
In a public appeal following the accident, concerned citizens urged the Lagos State Government to impose stricter checks on haulage vehicles and enforce the ban on movement of articulated trucks during peak traffic hours.
“How many more lives must we lose before proper regulations are enforced?” said Chinedu Okafor, a witness at the scene. “We see these containers swinging loose every day, and nothing is done until someone dies.”
As investigations into the cause of the collision continue, authorities have assured the public that the drivers of the involved trucks have been detained for questioning and that appropriate legal action will follow if negligence is established.
Meanwhile, road safety advocates are calling for renewed awareness campaigns and the installation of automated monitoring systems on major bridges to prevent similar occurrences.
