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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
It was a black Sunday in Lagos as seven persons were burnt to death in an auto crash at Iyana-Oworo, inward Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos State.
The incident involved a commercial Mazda bus with the number plate KJA 699 GY, conveying commuters from Oshodi to Ajah.
The Public Education Officer of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, Amodu Shakiru, said the incident occurred on Sunday evening.
“Our Ilupeju Fire Station, which was the closest to the location raced down there but they were only able to see the incident from a distance because some of the aggrieved persons around there were hurling different items at them.
“So, they needed to backtrack to save themselves and the equipment. They had to liaise with the police who also went to the scene. The police went there to assess the situation, came back to meet our men and advised them to go back to their station because the tension was high based on the reported casualties,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed that seven people lost their lives in the incident.
“Investigation gathered at the scene revealed that the incident occurred due to recklessness and speeding by the driver, which resulted in the fire with 12 passengers trapped. Fortunately, the driver escaped with some burns, three female adults were rescued and rushed to the Gbagada General Hospital, while a male adult was attended to by LASAMBUS at the scene.
“Unfortunately, seven victims were burnt to death (four females, two male adults and one male child).
“All the remains have been bagged by the Agency’s LRT Paramedics, LASAMBUS official and handed over to the appropriate authorities.Arrangements have been made by LASTMA officials at the scene for removal of the burnt vehicle from the road,” the LASEMA boss said.