(PHOTO) 11 Die as Vehicle Falls Off Lagos–Abeokuta Bridge

(PHOTO) 11 Die as Vehicle Falls Off Lagos–Abeokuta Bridge

At least 11 people have lost their lives in a tragic road accident after a vehicle plunged off the Eruku Bridge along the busy Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway in Ogun State, throwing families and residents into mourning.

The fatal crash, which occurred late Sunday night, involved a gold Toyota vehicle with registration number GGE 722 KJ. According to eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigations, the vehicle reportedly somersaulted several times before crashing off the bridge and trapping all occupants inside.

The Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed that all 11 occupants of the vehicle — comprising 10 adult males and one adult female — died instantly in the accident.

In a statement issued by the command, the FRSC disclosed that the impact of the crash caused the vehicle’s doors to lock, making escape impossible for the victims.

“The incident involved a gold Toyota vehicle with registration number GGE722KJ, which somersaulted and fell off the bridge, trapping the occupants inside as the doors locked upon impact,” the statement read.

Emergency responders from the FRSC Itori Unit Command were immediately mobilized to the scene following distress calls from residents and motorists along the expressway.

The rescue operation reportedly lasted several hours, as officials and local volunteers worked together to dismantle parts of the badly damaged vehicle before the bodies of the victims could be recovered.

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Authorities confirmed that the remains of the deceased were deposited at the State Specialist Hospital morgue in Ifo, Ogun State.

Preliminary findings by the FRSC suggested that overloading and possible driving under the influence of alcohol may have contributed to the fatal crash.

Officials also suspect that excessive speed and poor visibility during nighttime travel may have worsened the incident, although full investigations are still ongoing.

Reacting to the tragedy, the Ogun State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and urged motorists travelling along the Lagos–Abeokuta corridor to drive carefully, particularly during night journeys.

“Travellers on the Abeokuta–Lagos route should exercise extreme caution, especially when driving at night,” Ogunjobi advised.

He also warned drivers against speeding, reckless driving, overloading and operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating substances.

The tragic accident has once again renewed concerns over the increasing rate of fatal road crashes along major highways in Ogun State and other parts of Nigeria.

The Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway remains one of the busiest road corridors in southwestern Nigeria, recording frequent accidents involving commercial vehicles, heavy-duty trucks and private motorists.

Road safety experts have repeatedly blamed poor vehicle maintenance, reckless driving, fatigue, overloading and disregard for traffic regulations as major causes of deadly highway crashes across the country.

Data from the FRSC shows that night travel continues to account for a significant percentage of fatal road accidents in Nigeria due to reduced visibility, speeding and driver fatigue. (frsc.gov.ng)

Residents around the Eruku Bridge area reportedly described the accident scene as horrifying, with many expressing shock over the scale of the tragedy.

Some eyewitnesses said the vehicle appeared to have lost control before veering off the bridge, although authorities have yet to officially confirm the exact cause of the crash.

The incident adds to a growing list of deadly accidents recorded in Ogun State in recent months, prompting renewed calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and improved road safety awareness campaigns nationwide.

(PHOTO) 11 Die as Vehicle Falls Off Lagos–Abeokuta Bridge