On the Long Bridge axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, on Sunday, a petrol-filled truck exploded after colliding with a sport utility vehicle. Our correspondent gathered that the incident happened at about 4.30 pm.
At the scene of the event, our reporter observed a group of emergency responders working, including police officers, representatives from the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, and the State Fire and Safety Service. Vehicles had to drive against the flow of traffic to avoid the fire, the incident also resulted in gridlock along the axis.
The driver of the SUV was traveling at high speed as he attempted to pass several other vehicles, according to an eyewitness who only went by the name Omogbolan. He immediately managed to pass three cars; however, the tanker was already in the lane when he attempted to swerve back to the left, which is how the car collided with it.
The mishap did not result in any casualties. The tanker driver, who only went by the name Hamid, blamed the SUV driver for the collision.
“I was on the fast lane near the kerb when the motorist was attempting to overtake,” he claimed. He ran into my tire after passing a few cars. I lost control during this process, which led me to climb the kerb. The tanker flipped over and caught fire in this manner.
“He has told the police that he had a tyre burst and that was how he collided with me. I am waiting for the tanker’s owner.”
Ahmed Umar, the FRSC’s Ogun State Sector Commander, said that a tyre rupture was at blame for the tragedy.
The SUV’s punctured tire caused it to lose control, swerve in the direction of the tanker, and cause the catastrophe, the man claimed. Our employees who were manning the corridor managed to free the two adults and two children who were in the car.
The fire could not be put out right away since there was still fuel in the tanker, said Ojo Oloye, unit commandant of TRACE for the OPIC and MFM axis.
“Firemen have made an effort to douse the flames. They have gone to restock after running out of water. Together with the police and FRSC authorities, our troops are attempting to manage the traffic, the official said.