A fatal road accident on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos has resulted in the death of a woman and left four others seriously injured after two Toyota Sienna commercial vehicles collided in the early hours of Tuesday. The incident occurred near the Iyana-Iworo axis, a busy section of the bridge, and involved two fully loaded vehicles traveling in opposite directions. The collision, which happened around 7:26 a.m., was confirmed by Olawale Afolabi, Head of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), who stated that emergency responders swiftly evacuated the injured to a nearby trauma centre for urgent medical care.
Preliminary investigations suggest that reckless driving by one of the drivers directly caused the head-on crash. Afolabi noted that LASEMA’s Tiger Squad from the C3 Command was deployed immediately and arrived at the scene by 8:00 a.m. to manage rescue and recovery operations. Emergency personnel worked in coordination with police officers and officials from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to secure the area, manage traffic congestion, and clear the wreckage to restore normal movement on the bridge.
The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, described the accident as entirely avoidable and emphasized the need for stricter adherence to traffic rules. He urged all motorists to exercise caution, especially on major highways like the Third Mainland Bridge, and warned against dangerous practices such as speeding, reckless overtaking, and ignoring lane discipline. Oke-Osanyintolu also called on drivers to cooperate fully with traffic officials to prevent future tragedies.
This incident adds to the growing concern over road safety in Lagos, where traffic accidents remain a leading cause of death and injury. The Third Mainland Bridge, one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares, has seen several fatal crashes in recent months, often linked to poor driving habits and overcrowded vehicles. LASEMA and LASTMA continue to monitor high-risk zones and intensify public awareness campaigns to promote safer driving practices.
As investigations continue, authorities are reviewing surveillance footage and gathering testimonies from witnesses to determine full accountability. The tragic loss of life and serious injuries sustained by the passengers serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by negligent driving. Moving forward, stakeholders are expected to strengthen enforcement and public education efforts to reduce road accidents across Lagos and Nigeria.
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