Society Gist Editor
Ude Emmanuel
In what many are calling a miracle, eight passengers escaped death in a frightening car accident that occurred on Lagos’ Third Mainland Bridge on Sunday afternoon. The incident, which could have ended in tragedy, saw the vehicle severely damaged after it reportedly lost control and veered dangerously close to the edge of the bridge — but remarkably, all occupants survived with minor injuries.
Eyewitnesses described the moment as chaotic yet astonishing, as passersby and emergency responders rushed to the scene to assist the dazed passengers. The crash, which involved a private minibus, occurred during moderate traffic conditions near the bridge’s midpoint, a section notorious for high-speed driving and occasional accidents.
What Happened
According to preliminary reports from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the vehicle was said to have been moving at high speed when the driver allegedly lost control due to a burst tire. The bus skidded, swerved into another lane, and hit the bridge railings before coming to a halt.
Miraculously, the impact did not fling the vehicle into the lagoon — a terrifying scenario many feared at the time of the crash. Quick reactions from the driver, combined with the car’s structural integrity and the immediate arrival of emergency teams, are believed to have prevented a far worse outcome.
All eight passengers — comprising both men and women, some of whom were returning from a church program — were rescued with only cuts and bruises. Medical personnel from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) attended to them on-site before transferring two people with more visible injuries to a nearby hospital for further observation.
Eyewitness Accounts
Speaking to reporters, one of the survivors, Mrs. Omotola Akinwunmi, recounted the terrifying moment the tire gave out.
“We just heard a loud bang, and the driver lost control. People started screaming and praying. I closed my eyes, thinking we were going over the edge. But somehow, the car stopped. I can’t explain it — God really saved us today.”
Another witness, Segun Adeyemi, a commercial tricycle rider nearby, said:
“When I saw the car wobble and hit the barrier, I thought it was over. I ran there thinking we would be pulling out dead bodies. But to my surprise, they were all alive and crawling out themselves. It was unbelievable.”
Emergency Response Praised
Authorities and eyewitnesses alike praised the swift response from LASEMA, LASTMA, and the Nigeria Police, all of whom arrived within minutes to manage the scene, direct traffic, and ensure the victims received prompt medical care.
In a statement, LASEMA’s spokesperson said:
“We commend the alertness of nearby motorists and our first responders. Incidents like this remind us of the importance of speed control, proper vehicle maintenance, and the need for calm under pressure.”
Traffic flow on the bridge was temporarily halted as responders cleared the wreckage and assessed the damage to the road infrastructure. The affected vehicle has since been towed away for further inspection.
A Wake-Up Call for Safety
The incident serves as yet another reminder of the dangers posed by reckless driving and poor vehicle maintenance — especially on Lagos’ most vital transport arteries like the 3rd Mainland Bridge, which links Lagos Island to the mainland.
Authorities are once again urging drivers to:
-
Maintain safe speeds,
-
Conduct regular vehicle checks (especially tires and brakes),
-
Avoid overloading vehicles, and
-
Remain alert during long-distance commutes.
As the survivors recover and the city breathes a sigh of relief, many are calling the escape nothing short of divine intervention. In a city where tragic accidents are all too common, this miraculous survival story is a rare moment of hope and a powerful reminder of life’s fragility.
