Two Suffer Severe Burns as Diesel Tanker Plunges From Otedola Bridge

By Adebola Muili

Two people sustained severe burn injuries on Monday after a diesel-laden tanker plunged from Otedola Bridge and burst into flames beneath the bridge in Lagos.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by Adebayo Taofiq, Director of its Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department.

The victims were rescued from the danger zone by LASTMA operatives and other emergency responders before being evacuated by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency’s Rescue Unit (LRU) to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre at Toll Gate for immediate medical attention.

The incident triggered a fire beneath the bridge, prompting the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service to deploy personnel to contain the inferno and prevent it from spreading to surrounding infrastructure or causing further casualties.

Other agencies involved in the rescue and emergency operations included the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency and police personnel from the Alausa Police Division.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commended the emergency responders for their prompt intervention, which facilitated the rescue and evacuation of the injured victims while firefighting operations continued.

He also wished the victims a speedy recovery, stressing the importance of rapid emergency response and collaboration among relevant agencies in managing road traffic incidents.

Bakare-Oki urged motorists, particularly operators of heavy-duty and articulated vehicles, to conduct regular mechanical inspections, comply with prescribed safety standards and adopt responsible driving practices to prevent avoidable accidents.

He reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to effective traffic management, enforcement of road safety regulations and coordination of emergency response operations across Lagos State.