No fewer than three persons have been confirmed dead by Lagos State emergency officials when a vehicle and truck conveying 40-feet container collided around Iyana Isolo end of Apapa-Oshodi expressway.
The three victims, who were occupants of the Mercury Benz Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) without number plate, could not be identified after they were burnt to death during the auto crash.
Burnt bodies of the victims have been bagged by emergency officials and handed over to the State Environmental Health Management Unit (SEHMU) for deposition at the state-owned morgue.
As gathered, the accident occurred when the SUV experienced brake failure while speeding and collided with the truck on the road, the impact of the accident triggered fire from the car’s engine that led to their death.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who confirmed the accident on Monday through a statement made available to newsmen, narrated that the auto crash occured at about 11:38pm yesterday.
According to the statement, “Upon arrival at the scene at 11:38pm, an accident involving a Mercury Benz SUV with an unknown registration number and a truck conveying a 40ft container was encountered.
“Preliminary investigation carried out upon arrival at the scene revealed that the SUV collided into the truck due to over speeding. The impact of this collision resulted in a fire outbreak from the car engine.
“Unfortunately three adult male inside the car were all severely burnt and died due to the impact of the collision.
“Responders at the scene of the incident includes the Agency’s response team, LRU Fire unit, Lagos State Fire Service, SEHMU LASTMA, Nigeria Police and LASAMBUS.
“Recovery of the accidented containerized truck and car with the aid of the Agency’s heavy duty equipment equipment Crane, Lowbed and Super Metro while the Flatbody and the carcass of the burnt car were towed to the Lastma yard.
“Extrication of the three burn victims trapped inside the car with the aid of the light rescue equipment was carried out and the remains were subsequently bagged handed them over to SEHMU for onward transfer to the morgue.