Two people have sustained severe burn injuries after a diesel-laden tanker plunged from Otedola Bridge in Lagos and burst into flames beneath the bridge.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, saying emergency responders rescued the victims from the scene of the inferno and evacuated them for urgent medical treatment.
According to LASTMA, the incident triggered a massive fire beneath the bridge, leaving the two victims with extensive burn injuries.
The agency said its emergency response team, working alongside other emergency management agencies, swiftly mobilised to the scene and extricated the injured victims from the danger zone.
The victims were subsequently evacuated by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency’s Rescue Unit (LRU) to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre, Toll-Gate, for immediate medical attention.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service battled the raging inferno to prevent it from spreading and causing further casualties or damage to nearby infrastructure.
Other agencies involved in the coordinated rescue and firefighting operations included the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency and police personnel from the Alausa Police Division.
LASTMA said the joint response demonstrated the importance of inter-agency collaboration and rapid mobilisation in managing emergencies and preventing dangerous situations from escalating.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commended the responding agencies for their promptness and professionalism, noting that their timely intervention facilitated the rescue and evacuation of the injured victims while efforts continued to contain the fire.
Bakare-Oki also expressed his wishes for the speedy and complete recovery of the victims, stressing the importance of effective emergency response and collaboration in preserving human lives during road traffic incidents.
The agency reiterated its commitment to traffic regulation enforcement, efficient traffic management and prompt emergency response across Lagos State.
It also urged motorists, particularly operators of heavy-duty and articulated vehicles, to conduct regular mechanical inspections, comply with prescribed safety standards and practise responsible driving to prevent avoidable road crashes and other disasters.
