By Adekunle Oluwafunmilayo
Motorists and commuters were left stranded on Friday after multiple crashes on the Kara Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway triggered a heavy gridlock, with emergency responders battling to clear the scene.
A video obtained by TVC News showed hundreds of vehicles trapped in the congestion stretching across both carriageways as rescue operations continued.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the development in a traffic update shared via its official X handle on Friday, July 24.
LASTMA disclosed that the accidents involved a Toyota Sienna and two Cabster trucks on Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, causing heavy traffic stretching from Otedola Bridge and beyond.
According to LASTMA, preliminary findings showed that the crash was triggered by an articulated trailer that had earlier overturned on the bridge.
“A multiple vehicle accident occurred on Kara Bridge inward Mowe/Ibafo along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, involving a Toyota Sienna and two Cabster trucks,” the agency said.
It added, “Preliminary findings indicate the incident was caused by an articulated trailer that overturned earlier on the same bridge.”
LASTMA said its personnel, alongside officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigeria Police Force, were at the scene managing the situation, while towing vehicles had been mobilised to clear the affected vehicles.
According to the traffic management agency, the incident has resulted in a major traffic backlog extending to Otedola Bridge and beyond, with the congestion also affecting Isheri-Olowora and Ogunusi Road.
To ease the gridlock, LASTMA said traffic officials had temporarily introduced a one-way traffic arrangement.
“To ease movement, officials have temporarily opened one-way traffic from Berger down to OPIC Turning,” the agency stated.
In a separate statement, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Sector Command, said the first crash occurred at about 12:05 a.m. on the outbound carriageway towards Ibadan and involved five articulated trucks and one Toyota Sienna.
“The first crash occurred at about 12:05 a.m. on the outbound carriageway towards Ibadan, involving five articulated trucks and one Toyota Sienna vehicle. Preliminary investigation indicates that the crash resulted from speed violation and loss of control,” the statement read.
The Corps said seven adult males were involved in the crash, with one person confirmed dead, another sustaining injuries, while five others escaped unhurt.
According to the FRSC, the deceased’s body remained trapped beneath one of the heavily loaded trucks, making it impossible to recover until heavy-duty equipment arrived at the scene.
The agency added that while rescue operations were still underway, another crash occurred at about 3:15 a.m. on the inbound carriageway towards Lagos involving a Mazda commercial bus.
“The lone crash was caused by brake failure, leaving the driver seriously injured. He was promptly rescued by the FRSC emergency response team and taken to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre for medical treatment,” the statement added.
The FRSC said its personnel, alongside the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other emergency responders, were working to evacuate the crashed vehicles, recover the trapped victim and restore normal traffic flow.
Lagos Sector Commander, Corps Commander Kehinde Ganiyu Hamzat, sympathised with the families of the victims and urged motorists to cooperate with traffic officials managing the incident.
According to the FRSC, the deceased’s body remained trapped beneath one of the heavily loaded trucks, making it impossible to recover until heavy-duty equipment arrived at the scene.
The agency added that while rescue operations were still underway, another crash occurred at about 3:15 a.m. on the inbound carriageway towards Lagos involving a Mazda commercial bus.
“The lone crash was caused by brake failure, leaving the driver seriously injured. He was promptly rescued by the FRSC emergency response team and taken to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre for medical treatment,” the statement added.
The FRSC said its personnel, alongside the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other emergency responders, were working to evacuate the crashed vehicles, recover the trapped victim and restore normal traffic flow.
Lagos Sector Commander, Corps Commander Kehinde Ganiyu Hamzat, sympathised with the families of the victims and urged motorists to cooperate with traffic officials managing the incident.
The Corps also appealed to road users to avoid the Kara-Ojodu Berger corridor pending the completion of recovery operations.
“Motorists are strongly advised to use alternative routes where possible to avoid delays from the Kara-Ojodu Berger corridor until recovery operations are concluded,” the statement said.
READ ALSO: FRSC Advises Motorists To Avoid Kara Bridge After Fatal Crashes
The FRSC advised motorists to avoid the accident spots and continue travelling from Lagos towards Ibadan to divert through the Ikorodu-Sagamu route, while those heading into Lagos were urged to consider the Lekki-Epe Expressway or the Ikorodu-Sagamu Expressway.
It further reminded motorists, particularly drivers of articulated vehicles and commercial buses, to ensure their vehicles are mechanically fit before embarking on any journey, with special attention to braking systems, while urging drivers to avoid excessive speed and unnecessary night travel.
