Mother dies, daughter survives third mainland bridge crash

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

A yet-to-be-identified woman has died in a fatal road accident on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos, while her 30-year-old daughter survived the incident.

The crash, which occurred on Tuesday at the Ilaje inward Iyana Oworo axis, involved a head-on collision between two Toyota Sienna vehicles with registration numbers LSR 809 GV and LSR 695 HM.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq.

According to the agency, the collision was caused by reckless driving, particularly excessive speeding.

“The harrowing incident involved a catastrophic head-on collision… The severity of the impact underscores the grave consequences of reckless driving behaviours, particularly excessive speeding,” the statement said.

Taofiq noted that LASTMA operatives swiftly responded to a distress call and immediately secured the accident scene to prevent further casualties.

“Safety cones were strategically deployed to cordon off the accident scene and ensure the protection of other road users,” he added.

He further disclosed that officers from the Oworonsoki Police Division were also at the scene to document the incident and commence necessary investigations.

“The incident resulted in the loss of one female adult, a mother, while her 30-year-old daughter who was in the same vehicle miraculously survived the collision,” the statement added.

The remains of the deceased have been evacuated, while traffic officials maintained control of the area to ensure free flow of vehicles and prevent secondary accidents.

LASTMA also revealed that one of the drivers fled the scene, while the other was apprehended and handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Reacting, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, cautioned motorists against excessive speeding and other forms of reckless driving.

He urged drivers to adhere strictly to speed limits and maintain discipline on the road at all times.