The police in Lagos State have launched a manhunt for a driver who allegedly caused an auto crash in which no fewer than three people died, while five persons were injured.
The accident occurred on Saturday along the Ikorodu Road, near Obanikoro bus stop after the brake of the driver’s commercial bus failed and crashed into a Volkswagen Golf car.
It was learnt that after the brake failure, the driver struggled to drive the vehicle to safety, but veered into the median of the road and rammed into the Volkwagen driven by one Muritala Ajani.
It was learnt that Ajani died on the spot, while two others lost consciousness, and were feared dead. Five persons, including the bus conductor, sustained injuries.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the bus driver was driving on the BRT lane to beat the traffic jam on the highway when the accident happened around 11.30am.
The name of the driver, who reportedly fled the scene, and those of the injured had yet to be ascertained.
During a visit to the scene of the accident, our correspondent observed that the two vehicles involved in the crash had been evacuated, but blood stains, shards of glasses, pepper and effects of the victims littered the road.
Cleaners working for the Lagos State Waste Management Agency were also seen clearing the road.
A KAI official, Sakiru Taiwo, who was controlling the traffic, said three persons died, adding that five others were rushed to a hospital.
Taiwo said, “The bus driver took to his heels immediately the incident happened. Apart from the driver of the volkswagen, I saw two other lifeless women lying on the road, while five passengers in the bus were injured.
“The conductor was bleeding profusely. Policemen from the Anthony Police Station and LASTMA officials were here to put things in order.”
A cleaner, Mrs. Funmi Olayiwola, said a baby survived the accident unhurt, but her mother sustained bruises in the leg.
She said, “My colleagues and I were resting at a nearby park when we saw the bus jump to the other side of the road and hit an oncoming car. A little girl and her mother were fortunate.
“The mother was slightly injured in the leg. The bus was moving on top speed. If not, the accident would not have been that serious.”
The Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, however, said one person died in the incident.
He added that the police had launched a manhunt for the runaway driver so that he could face the consequence of his action.
He said, “There was a fatal motor accident along Ikorodu Road inward Yaba.
“A vehicle hit a Volkswagen Golf with registration no XT 463 APP, driven by one Muritala Ajani. He died on the spot.
“His corpse has been deposited at the Mainland General Hospital mortuary for autopsy.”
0 comments: