OGUN, Nigeria — A devastating road crash involving a cement factory truck, which spiraled into a fiery multi-vehicle accident on the Abeokuta-Lagos Expressway, has left a policeman dead and five others injured.
On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, a Dangote Cement Factory truck hurtled into a catastrophic chain reaction at the Saiten Petrol Station end of the expressway.
The crash involved nine vehicles, including the Dangote truck, a tipper, a yellow bus, an armoured tank, a Toyota RAV4 and three motorcycles.
“The crash happened when the driver of the Dangote truck, while driving at top speed, attempted to overtake a vehicle.
He lost control, crashed into other vehicles, and subsequently plunged into the river,” said Florence Okpe, spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps in Ogun State.
Among the eight victims were seven male adults and one female adult, Okpe noted in a statement on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.
The gruesome event claimed one life, with two persons luckily rescued unhurt.
The sheer force of the collision ignited a Toyota RAV4, causing it to burst into flames.
Quick thinking bystanders managed to douse the fire with a fire extinguisher procured from a nearby filling station.
“The injured victims were taken to the General Hospital in Ota for medical attention,” Okpe said.
Among those injured was an as-yet-unidentified policeman, who was on duty at the time of the accident.
Despite immediate medical attention by the FRSC rescue team, the officer tragically succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
The incident has sparked calls for stricter speed regulations and safety measures on the notorious expressway, which has become an unfortunate site for recurring accidents.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the importance of responsible driving and adherence to traffic laws is in sharp focus.
