Midnight Disaster on Kara Bridge: FRSC Launches Massive Rescue, Diverts Motorists After Fatal Crashes

Midnight Disaster on Kara Bridge: FRSC Launches Massive Rescue, Diverts Motorists After Fatal Crashes

A night of tragedy unfolded on the Kara Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in the early hours of Friday after multiple road crashes involving five articulated trucks, a Toyota Sienna and a commercial bus claimed one life, left two persons injured and triggered a massive emergency rescue operation that forced the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to divert motorists to alternative routes.

The crashes, which occurred on both the outbound and inbound carriageways of the expressway, caused major traffic disruption as rescue workers battled to recover the body of a victim trapped beneath one of the overturned trucks and clear the wreckage from the busy highway.

According to the FRSC, the first crash occurred at about 12:05 a.m. on the outbound lane towards Ibadan and involved five articulated trucks and a Toyota Sienna.

Preliminary investigation by the Corps attributed the crash to excessive speed and loss of control.

Seven adult males were involved in the accident. One person died, another sustained injuries, while five others escaped unhurt.

The FRSC disclosed that recovery efforts were complicated because the body of the deceased remained trapped beneath one of the heavily loaded trucks, making it necessary to deploy heavy-duty recovery equipment before evacuation could be completed.

The statement announcing the traffic advisory and rescue operations was signed by SRC Elizabeth Oluwadamilola Jayeola, Sector Public Education Officer, FRSC Lagos Sector Command.

While emergency responders were still battling the first accident, another crash occurred at about 3:15 a.m. on the inbound carriageway towards Lagos.

The second incident involved a Mazda commercial bus and was traced to brake failure. The driver sustained serious injuries and was rescued by FRSC personnel before being taken to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre for treatment.

The FRSC said its rescue teams, working alongside the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other emergency responders, were making frantic efforts to remove the crashed vehicles, recover the trapped victim and restore free flow of traffic.

Lagos Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander, Kehinde Ganiyu Hamzat, sympathised with the families of the victims and appealed to motorists to remain patient, obey traffic officials and cooperate with emergency responders while the recovery operation continues.

He advised motorists to avoid the Kara-Ojodu Berger corridor where possible and use alternative routes to minimise delays.

According to him, motorists travelling from Lagos towards Ibadan should divert through the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road, while those heading into Lagos should consider the Lekki-Epe Expressway or the Ikorodu-Sagamu Expressway.

The Corps also reminded drivers, particularly operators of articulated vehicles and commercial buses, to ensure their vehicles are mechanically sound before embarking on any journey, with special attention to braking systems.

It further cautioned motorists against unnecessary night travel, urging those who must travel at night to reduce speed, maintain safe following distances, avoid dangerous overtaking and take adequate rest to minimise fatigue.