No fewer than two persons have been confirmed dead and about 84 persons injured in an accident involving a train and Lagos State government Staff bus.
The Southwest Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye confirmed that the two persons who lost their lives on the spot were female staff of the Lagos State government, and the rescued injured persons have been taken to the hospital.
The accident occurred at the PWD/Sogunle rail crossing in Lagos.
According to Mr. Farinloye, the staff bus with registration no 04A- 48LA, was crossing the rail line when the train rammed into it around 7 am, local time on Thursday.
He said; ““The accident recorded many casualties as the bus was fully loaded with Lagos State government staff members going to the office this morning, Thursday.
”The flag officer of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, at the rail crossing was said to have tried to stop the driver of the bus to no avail.
The driver ignored the flag officer and went ahead to cross the railway before the train rammed into it.
Search and rescue operation has been concluded, the carcass of the bus has being removed.”
The Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, Mr Fidet Okhiria urged Lagos drivers to be more careful when passing through the level crossing, to avoid train accidents.
Okhiria who was concerned about the lives of the Lagos State staff, appealed to motorists to consider the level crossing at all times.
He said that ”when motorists get to the level crossing, they should not ignore the point where they should stop.”
The Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Mr Taofiq Adebayo commended the Officers of LASTMA on rescue operation at the scene of the accident.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
