Two men sustained severe burn injuries after a diesel-laden tanker fell off Otedola Bridge and burst into flames beneath the bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday.
The incident, which occurred on the Berger-bound section of the expressway, triggered a fire that disrupted traffic as emergency responders raced to rescue the victims and contain the blaze.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said its emergency response team worked with other agencies to rescue the victims, who were subsequently taken to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre at Toll Gate for treatment.
In a statement on Monday, LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, said the victims sustained extensive burn injuries and required urgent medical attention.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service deployed firefighters from its Alausa and Ikeja stations to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) attributed the crash to speeding in its preliminary findings.
In a statement, the FRSC Lagos Sector Command said the incident occurred at about 4:10 p.m., adding that its rescue unit arrived at the scene shortly after the crash was reported.
The corps said, “Preliminary findings identified speeding as the reported cause of the incident,” adding that the two adult male occupants were taken to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre for medical attention.
Emergency operations involved personnel of the FRSC, LASTMA, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency and the police.
The fire caused traffic congestion around the affected corridor, forcing motorists to divert to alternative routes while emergency personnel managed the scene.
LASTMA advised motorists approaching the area to exercise caution and comply with traffic officials’ directives as rescue and firefighting operations continued.