One person has died after a fully loaded truck overturned around the TREM axis of Gbagada, inward Oshodi, Lagos State.
The accident, which occurred on Sunday, involved a Mercedes-Benz six-tire truck conveying assorted consignments, including sealed bags and newly branded event chairs.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority disclosed this in a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq.
The authority said preliminary findings indicated that the truck was travelling at considerable speed when its front tyre suddenly burst, causing the driver to lose control and the vehicle to overturn.
It added that an elderly male passenger seated in the front cabin was thrown out of the truck during the incident and struck his head against a sharp object.
“The impact proved fatal, resulting in his instantaneous death,” the statement said.
LASTMA said its Night Rescue Team, which was conducting surveillance across major traffic corridors in the state, promptly arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area.
The operatives evacuated the deceased from the carriageway into a Lagos State Emergency Medical Services ambulance to prevent further exposure and possible secondary accidents.
The rescue operation also received support from personnel of the Pedro Police Division and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.
The authority said the overturned truck could not be immediately recovered because of the volume and nature of its cargo.
It added that arrangements were being made to transfer the consignments into another truck before recovering the vehicle.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the deceased’s family, describing the incident as a painful and avoidable loss.
Bakare-Oki also cautioned heavy-duty vehicle operators against excessive speeding, noting that it reduces reaction time, compromises vehicle stability and worsens the consequences of road accidents.
He said the impact of the incident could have been less severe if the truck had been travelling at a controlled speed, despite the sudden tyre burst.
The LASTMA boss urged operators of heavy-duty vehicles, commercial transporters and other motorists to adopt responsible driving practices, conduct regular vehicle inspections and pay attention to tyre conditions, braking systems and other critical components before embarking on journeys.
He also advised drivers to remain composed and exercise proper vehicle-control techniques when faced with sudden mechanical failures.
According to him, roadworthiness, speed moderation and compliance with traffic regulations are essential for safe driving, particularly for heavy-duty vehicle operators travelling on densely populated urban highways.
Bakare-Oki reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to traffic surveillance, emergency response and collaboration with other agencies to protect lives across Lagos State.