Passenger Dies After Jumping From A Moving Bus In Surulere

By Sherif Salau

A male passenger lost his life today after jumping from a moving commercial bus that careered into a median pole at Ogunlana Junction, inward Ojuelegba in the Surulere area of Lagos.

The incident involved a Volkswagen commercial bus with registration number LND 130 XR. According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the vehicle had been driven erratically moments earlier before it veered off course and slammed into the median near the Fallout area.

Preliminary reports indicated that the driver was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and operating the bus in a reckless manner. Motorists travelling behind the vehicle were forced to take evasive action to avoid a collision as the bus moved unpredictably along the busy corridor.

In the confusion that followed, a male passenger reportedly jumped from the still-moving vehicle in an apparent attempt to escape. He struck the ground hard, sustaining severe injuries, and later succumbed to them.

LASTMA officers on routine traffic surveillance along the Ojuelegba axis spotted the crash and responded promptly. They secured the scene, managed the flow of traffic and cleared the damaged bus and the remains of the deceased from the carriageway, preventing what officials described as a potential secondary collision.

Police officers from the Area C Police Division in Ojuelegba provided security at the site, while officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency evacuated the body.

LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki described the tragedy as another grim reminder of the risks posed by driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless motoring and the use of vehicles that may be mechanically unsound. He urged drivers across the state to prioritise safety and exercise greater responsibility on the roads.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash continue.