Again, truck crushes dispatch rider to death in Lagos

A dispatch rider has again lost his life in a road accident in Lagos State, less than 24 hours after a similar incident.

The spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Adebayo Taofiq, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the fatal crash occurred at Otedola Bridge inward Secretariat along the Ogudu Toll Gate corridor.

According to Taofiq, the accident involved a heavy-duty Volvo truck and a dispatch rider, with the impact leading to the rider’s immediate death at the scene.

“The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority deeply regrets to announce a tragic road traffic incident that culminated in the untimely death of another dispatch rider in less than 24 hours at Otedola Bridge inward Secretariat along the Ogudu Toll Gate corridor.

“The fatal crash involved a heavy-duty Volvo truck and a dispatch rider. The devastating impact resulted in the immediate loss of the rider’s life at the scene, further accentuating the growing concerns surrounding the vulnerability of dispatch riders on major highways,” he stated.

Taofiq noted that its operatives on routine patrol responded swiftly to the scene, securing and cordoning off the area to prevent further accidents, especially due to the high volume of traffic along the route.

He added that the remains of the deceased were handed over to officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, while security personnel from the Alausa Police Station were reinforced to maintain order during the rescue operation.

Taofiq continued, “LASTMA operatives on routine patrol around Otedola swiftly responded to the accident scene, where they promptly secured and cordoned off the accident area to forestall any secondary incidents, particularly given the high vehicular density along the corridor.

“The remains of the deceased dispatch rider were respectfully handed over to officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, who were present at the scene in support of traffic management operations.”

He further stated that the damaged truck and motorcycle were removed by a tow truck to restore traffic flow, although the incident initially caused heavy congestion extending towards the Berger axis.

Taofiq noted, however, that traffic officials worked to ease the gridlock and ensure normal vehicular movement resumed as quickly as possible.

“Subsequently, the articulated truck and the dispatch motorcycle were expeditiously removed by a tow truck, thereby facilitating the restoration of normal traffic flow.

“Notwithstanding the prompt response of emergency personnel, the incident triggered considerable traffic congestion, with a backlog stretching towards the Berger axis.”

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and stressed the need for strict adherence to traffic regulations.

He also reiterated the agency’s commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to improve road safety and reduce fatalities across the state.

“LASTMA remains resolute in its commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders in intensifying advocacy initiatives aimed at reducing road fatalities and fostering a sustainable culture of road safety across Lagos State,” he said.

NGGOSSIPS Metro reported on Tuesday that a dispatch rider lost his life in a fatal road accident in the Motorways inward Estate area of Alapere, Lagos State, following a collision with a tanker.

Taofiq had stated that the incident involved an empty NIPCO tanker with registration number TTN-776ZQ.

Preliminary findings had shown that the tanker driver, who was allegedly speeding, rammed into the moving dispatch rider, leading to his instant death.