A tanker on Friday night rammed into a Toyota Corolla before veering off the road and crashing into a nearby roadside shop at Ekoro junction inward Abule Egba in Lagos State.
The road accident led to the death of one person while four others got injured.
According to eyewitness, the fatal crash occurred at about 7:30 p.m. when an empty Mack tanker reportedly suffered a sudden brake malfunction, leading to a loss of control.
The eyewitness said the tanker rammed into a Toyota Corolla before veering off the road and crashing into a nearby roadside shop, causing extensive structural damage and widespread panic among traders and pedestrians in the area.
Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), in a statement, confirmed that the tanker with registration number EKY 900 XY collided with a Toyota Corolla marked AAA 823 AY, confirming that one person was dead at the scene, while four others trapped in the wreckage were rescued with minor injuries through coordinated emergency efforts.
In a swift response, LASTMA deployed its rescue and recovery team to the scene, implementing traffic diversion, vehicular evacuation, and crowd control measures to prevent further incidents and ensure unhindered access for emergency responders.
The injured victims were carefully extricated and handed over to medical personnel for immediate treatment. A heavy-duty tow truck was mobilised to remove the damaged tanker and clear debris obstructing traffic along the busy corridor.
Authorities disclosed that the tanker driver fled the scene shortly after the crash. Security operatives have launched efforts to apprehend the suspect and initiate appropriate legal action.
Officers from the Ekoro Police Division were on the ground to secure the area, maintain public order, and commence investigations into the circumstances surrounding the mechanical failure.
The incident caused significant traffic congestion stretching toward Abule-Egba and adjoining routes, prompting intensive traffic management interventions by LASTMA officials.
Expressing condolences to the family of the deceased, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, urged transport operators, particularly articulated vehicle drivers, to prioritise routine vehicle maintenance with special attention to braking systems.
He stressed that avoidable mechanical faults remain a major contributor to road crashes and called on motorists to adhere strictly to traffic regulations, especially within densely populated commercial areas.
Other emergency responders at the scene included the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU), and officers of the Nigeria Police Force, all of whom collaborated to ensure effective rescue operations, medical support, environmental safety, and the restoration of order at the accident scene.
