A mother and her child have been killed after two container-laden trucks overturned on the Mile 2 axis of Lagos, trapping the victims beneath the vehicles and their cargoes.
The fatal accident occurred near Freeman Market, inward Apapa, when the two heavily loaded 20-foot container trucks overturned, leaving the mother and her child with fatal injuries.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority disclosed the incident in a statement, saying its rescue and recovery team responded to the scene over the weekend.
LASTMA personnel cordoned off the affected section of the road and diverted motorists through an adjoining service lane to prevent further accidents and ease traffic congestion.
The agency also deployed a crane and a heavy-duty tow vehicle to remove the overturned trucks and containers, while police officers provided security during the recovery operation.
The bodies of the deceased were subsequently evacuated to the Police Mortuary in Yaba for necessary procedures.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the bereaved family, describing the incident as a tragic loss.
He called for a thorough investigation by relevant security agencies to establish the cause of the crash, including the possibility of mechanical defects, overloading, improper cargo distribution, driver negligence or other safety violations.
Bakare-Oki urged operators of articulated trucks to ensure their vehicles were roadworthy, secure their cargoes properly and comply with traffic safety regulations, stressing that regular inspections and responsible driving were essential to preventing avoidable deaths on Lagos roads.
