A survivor of the tragic train-bus collision that occurred on Thursday, March 9, 2023 in Lagos has spoken out about the incident, recounting how the bus driver refused to wait despite their pleas.
The collision, which took place at the railway crossing at Agege, claimed the lives of several passengers on the bus and left many others injured. Eyewitnesses say the bus was attempting to cross the tracks when it was hit by an oncoming train.
According to one survivor, identitied as Titilayo, the passengers had begged the driver to wait as they saw the train approaching, but he had refused.
According to the middle-aged female staff of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja, who sustained injuries on her lower limbs, “I boarded the staff bus while going to work this morning (yesterday).
“The incident happened around 7.15am. When we got to the intersection at PWD in Ikeja, the driver continued driving.
“Passengers inside the bus, including myself, begged him to wait for the train to pass before crossing, but he didn’t listen.
“Midway, just before he could finish crossing the rail tracks, the accident happened. Many of us were rushed here, while five others were taken to Gbagada General Hospital.”
Another passenger who spoke to The Trent on condition of anonymity said, “We all saw the train coming and we begged the driver to wait, but he was in a hurry and said he couldn’t afford to waste any time.”
The survivor added that the driver had ignored warning signals at the crossing and had attempted to cross the tracks despite the barriers being down. “The barriers were down and there were warning signals, but the driver just went ahead and tried to cross. It was a terrible mistake,” the survivor said.
The collision has once again brought to light the safety issue at railway crossings in Lagos. Despite warnings and barriers, many drivers still attempt to cross the tracks when trains are approaching, leading to tragic accidents like this one.
The survivor of the collision is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital and is said to be in stable condition. Authorities are investigating the incident and have urged drivers to be more cautious when approaching railway crossings.
Train Collision With Lagos Government Staff Bus Kills 6
A tragic incident occurred earlier today, Thursday, March 9, 2023, when a train collided with a government staff bus in Lagos, resulting in the death of six people. The collision occurred at a railway crossing near Ikeja, a suburb of Lagos.
Eyewitnesses reported that the bus, which was carrying government employees, attempted to cross the railway track despite the warning signals indicating an incoming train. The train, traveling at a high speed, collided with the bus, resulting in a devastating impact that claimed the lives of six people on board.
According to reports, the train driver applied emergency brakes, but it was too late to avoid the collision. The collision resulted in the derailment of the train, causing significant damage to the locomotive and several rail cars.
Rescue teams arrived at the scene shortly after the incident and transported the injured to nearby hospitals. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) also deployed its personnel to manage the aftermath of the collision and facilitate the evacuation of the dead and injured.
In a statement released to the press, the Lagos State Government expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased and assured the public that an investigation would be launched into the incident to ascertain its cause.
The incident highlights the need for drivers to obey traffic signals and exercise caution when crossing railway tracks. It also underscores the importance of continuous safety training for transportation operators and the need for investment in modernizing Nigeria’s aging transportation infrastructure.
The government has promised to take measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, and the public awaits the outcome of the investigation with bated breath.
“After a report to the Lagos Territorial Office, the Emergency Response team mobilised to the scene of a bus/train collision,” a message from the emergency response agency said.
“The State Government staff bus was trying to cross the PWD/Sogunle rail crossing while the train coming into Lagos from Abeokuta trapped the bus on its rail.
“Two adult females staff of the State Government died on the spot and several injured evacuated.
“Four additional injured persons have died on arrival at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital of the 84 injured and evacuated to the hospital.”
