A man had a narrow escape from death on Monday morning in Mile 2, Lagos State, when a heavy 40-foot container reportedly fell on his car.
According to reports, the incident occurred when the tanker carrying goods lost control and toppled onto the vehicle.
A video obtained by SaharaReporters captured the moment a group of Good Samaritans rushed to the scene and rescued the man from the wreckage.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with the driver of a Toyota Camry, with registration number LSR 293 HJ, trapped under the container. However, he was freed by the quick actions of bystanders.
Despite the significant impact, the man, who has not been identified, was reported to be in shock but was otherwise unharmed.
A statement issued by Adebayo Taofiq, the Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, confirmed that the Toyota Camry was successfully extricated from beneath the container.
The statement said, “A 40-foot loaded container fell onto a Toyota Camry, registration number LSR 293 HJ, near Mile 2, on the way to Apapa. Thanks to the prompt and coordinated efforts of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LRU), the driver was rescued alive.”
Taofiq added that the victim received immediate medical attention after being rushed to the hospital by emergency responders.
“Officers from the Kirikiri Police Division maintained security at the scene, ensuring a safe and orderly environment for the rescue operation.”
The Toyota Camry was successfully removed from under the container, and efforts to evacuate the fallen container were underway. LASTMA officers continued to manage the scene to ease traffic flow and restore normalcy.
In light of the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, emphasized the importance of securing containers properly. He warned that negligence in this area poses a serious risk to both lives and property and urged truck drivers and owners to strictly adhere to road safety measures to prevent similar accidents.
“LASTMA is committed to ensuring safety on Lagos roads and will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to enforce traffic laws and improve public safety,” Taofiq concluded.
