Truck Driver Escapes Death as Container-Laden Vehicle Catches Fire Near Otedola Bridge
A yet-to-be-identified truck driver narrowly escaped death on Saturday evening after a Mack truck conveying an empty 20-foot container was engulfed in flames along the Alausa Secretariat axis inward Otedola Bridge on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Echonews gathered that the incident occurred shortly after another fatal crash was recorded along the Lekki-Epe corridor, where a driver and his assistant reportedly lost their lives in a collision involving a trailer and a gas tanker.
Emergency responders, including officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), were swiftly deployed to the scene and successfully contained the fire.
Eyewitnesses said the truck suddenly burst into flames while in motion, prompting the driver to stop and flee the vehicle. He reportedly sustained minor injuries in the process.
The prompt response of emergency operatives prevented the fire from spreading, averting a potentially major disaster along the busy expressway.
Officials also ensured the quick clearance of the affected section of the road, restoring normal traffic flow and minimising disruption to commuters.
Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property on Lagos roads.
He urged motorists to carry out regular maintenance checks on their vehicles, particularly mechanical and electrical components, noting that negligence often contributes to avoidable road emergencies.
“LASTMA remains committed to ensuring a safe, efficient, and well-regulated traffic system across Lagos State,” he said.
