Truck driver dies, motor boy injured in Lagos container truck crash

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

A truck driver lost his life while his motor boy sustained injuries in a lone accident involving a 40-foot containerised articulated vehicle at Isheri Elemu inward Ijegun area of Lagos.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident on Friday, saying the empty truck suddenly lost stability while in motion and overturned.

According to the agency, the driver became trapped beneath the overturned truck and died instantly from the impact of the crash, while the motor boy suffered multiple injuries and fractures.

LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, said operatives of the agency’s Rescue and Recovery Unit promptly responded to the scene.

“The rescue team successfully extricated the lifeless body of the trapped driver from beneath the wreckage while simultaneously ensuring the safe evacuation of the injured motor boy to a nearby medical facility for urgent medical attention,” he said.

Taofiq added that LASTMA officials secured the accident corridor, implemented traffic control measures and coordinated emergency operations to prevent secondary accidents and protect other road users.

He said officers and men of the Isheri Osun Police Division provided security support throughout the rescue and recovery operation.

To facilitate the clearance of the accident scene and restore normal vehicular movement, a heavy-duty crane and a flatbed recovery truck were deployed to remove the overturned vehicle and evacuate the wreckage from the roadway.

Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Bakare-Oki Olalekan, expressed sadness over the loss of the driver and extended condolences to his family.

He also wished the injured motor boy a speedy recovery and urged operators of heavy-duty vehicles to prioritise routine maintenance and safety checks.

Bakare-Oki stressed the importance of regular inspection of critical components such as braking systems, steering mechanisms, tyres and suspension assemblies, noting that preventable mechanical failures continue to pose a serious threat to lives, property and public safety.

He further urged fleet operators, transport companies, truck owners and drivers to ensure their vehicles remain roadworthy and comply with established safety regulations at all times.