A passenger has died after jumping from a moving commercial bus that subsequently crashed into a median pole at Ogunlana Junction, inward Ojuelegba, in the Surulere area of Lagos.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) disclosed this in a statement on Sunday signed by its Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq.
The incident involved a commercial Volkswagen bus with registration number LND 130 XR, which reportedly veered off course and crashed into a median pole at Ogunlana Junction, near the Fallout area of Surulere.
Preliminary reports indicated that the driver was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and had been driving recklessly shortly before the crash.
According to LASTMA, motorists approaching from behind reportedly exercised caution as they attempted to avoid the erratically driven vehicle.
“In the ensuing pandemonium, a male passenger, apparently attempting to escape from the uncontrolled moving vehicle, jumped out of the bus and sustained grievous injuries upon impact with the ground,” the agency said.
The passenger later died from his injuries.
LASTMA personnel carrying out routine traffic surveillance along the Ojuelegba axis quickly responded to the scene. They secured the area, managed traffic and removed the deceased passenger and the badly damaged vehicle from the carriageway to prevent a secondary accident.
Security personnel from the Area C Police Division, Ojuelegba, provided security at the scene, while officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency evacuated the remains of the deceased.
LASTMA said the incident underscored the potentially fatal consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and operating vehicles with mechanical defects.
The agency’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, urged commercial and private motorists to conduct thorough safety checks on their vehicles before every journey, particularly the braking system, tyres, steering and other critical components.
Bakare-Oki condoled with the family of the deceased and reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to rapid emergency response, efficient traffic management and prompt clearance of accident scenes to protect lives on Lagos roads.
He also urged motorists and other road users to promptly report accidents, vehicle breakdowns, traffic obstructions and other emergencies to LASTMA through its toll-free short code, 3367.
