Two severely burnt as diesel tanker plunges from Otedola bridge in Lagos

Two people have sustained severe burn injuries after a diesel-laden tanker plunged from Otedola Bridge in Lagos and caught fire beneath the bridge.

A statement by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, said its emergency response team, working with other emergency management agencies, rescued the victims from the scene and ensured their evacuation for urgent medical treatment.

The incident occurred when the tanker fell from the bridge, triggering a fire that engulfed the underpass and left the two victims with extensive burns.

According to LASTMA, its emergency response team quickly mobilised to the scene and rescued the victims from the danger zone, where they required immediate medical attention.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency’s Rescue Unit, LRU, subsequently evacuated the injured victims to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre at Toll-Gate, where they were admitted for treatment.

“The terrifying conflagration left two victims with extensive and severe burn injuries, necessitating their immediate extrication from the danger zone and urgent medical intervention,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service were deployed to battle the fire, contain the flames and prevent the incident from spreading further.

The firefighting operation was also aimed at preventing additional casualties and possible damage to surrounding infrastructure.

Other agencies involved in the rescue and emergency response included the LRU, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency, also known as Neighbourhood Watch, and police officers from the Alausa Police Division.

LASTMA said the joint response demonstrated the importance of cooperation among emergency and security agencies in handling dangerous incidents.

It noted that prompt mobilisation and coordinated action were essential to preventing an already serious situation from becoming more catastrophic.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commended the responding agencies for their promptness, professionalism and commitment to duty.

He praised the emergency responders for their combined efforts, which helped rescue and evacuate the two injured victims while supporting the ongoing operation to contain the fire.

Bakare-Oki also expressed his wishes for the swift and complete recovery of the victims, stressing the importance of rapid emergency response, cooperation among institutions and commitment to saving lives during unexpected road incidents.

LASTMA reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing traffic regulations, improving traffic management, responding promptly to incidents and coordinating emergency operations across Lagos State.

The agency also urged motorists, particularly operators of heavy-duty and articulated vehicles, to carry out regular mechanical inspections, comply strictly with prescribed safety standards and adopt responsible driving practices to reduce preventable road crashes.