Kara Bridge: Tragic Collision Leaves Many Stranded

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A recent accident at the Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, immediately after descending from the Ojodu Berger bus stop when leaving Lagos State, left many road users stranded on Thursday, October 30, as the gridlock persisted for a second day.

The incident reportedly happened on Wednesday night, when some trucks, including a fuel tanker, collided on the bridge, leaving at least six people, including a policeman, dead. One of the deceased was said to have been burnt beyond recognition.

The tragic incident had caused an untold gridlock on the motorway, the only corridor into Nigeria’s commercial capital, grounding vehicular movement and leaving commuters stranded.

At about 8:00 pm on Thursday night, Pinnacle Daily observed severe gridlocks from all adjoining roads, including Ikeja, Alausa, Ogba, and Ojodu Berger, that link to the Lagos-Ibadan motorway.

The traffic jam, some commuters were heard saying, extended beyond the Third Mainland Bridge that links the Island and Mainland.

It also extended beyond Gbagada, extending to Anthony and along the Oshodi-Mill 2 axis.

Around 8:00 pm, when a Pinnacle Daily reporter was at the scene of the accident, a wisp of smoke and smouldering remains of fire were observed on the wrecked trucks.

At the time, some commuters said they had been stuck in traffic since 2:00 pm on their way from the island.

One of the trucks appeared to have veered off the road, crashing into the brick barricade of the bridge, while another ran into it.

The impact of the crash severed the head of the truck, causing it to plunge into the small river.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has confirmed eight casualties and shared a video showing the affected trucks and a lifeless body at the scene of the incident.

“There’s a report of a multiple road crash where a truck and a container-laden trailer were in flames, another truck spilling its contents (cartons of biscuits) on the road, and a container-laden truck running onto the barrier with its carrier falling off the bridge into the river, thereby blocking the entire road at Kara Bridge inward Mowe,” the authority stated on its X handle.

It added, “Eight casualties recorded. Effort is in top gear for the recovery and evacuation of the vehicles involved.

“Traffic backlog on Ogunnusi Road, Lagos-Ibadan Motorway. Officers and other emergency first responders are on the ground.”

The Commissioner of Police, Olorundare Jimoh, said five articulated vehicles were involved in the accident and that about three injured people were taken to the hospital.

The CP said preliminary reports showed that the accident resulted from brake failure, Channels TV reported.

He was quoted as saying, “We have a case of a multiple accident, which is still under investigation. Unfortunately, we lost a police inspector.

“All those responsible for the accident will be prosecuted.”

The severe gridlock has left many motorists driving against traffic, even as commercial drivers took advantage and hiked transport fares.

Commercial motorcycle riders, popularly known as Okada, made a fortune driving one way from the Ojudu Berger bus stop to the Kara, Wawa, or Magboro bus stops, a distance of less than 10 minutes, and charging N2,000, N2,500, and N3,000 per person, respectively.

Many passengers were seen trekking the distance to await any fortunate vehicles that could take them to their destination at a cost that was more than doubled.

Pinnacle Daily observed many passengers were risking their lives, entering open trucks and unventilated vehicles, including cargo trucks, just to get a means to get to their destinations.

The accident at Kara Bridge occurred less than 24 hours after a truck fell on the Otedola Bridge, which is less than a five-minute drive from Kara, on Wednesday.

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