An eyewitness working as a security operative near the Otedola Bridge in Lagos has attributed Monday’s tanker crash and subsequent inferno to a suspected brake failure, noting that the heavy vehicle was traveling at high speed right before it plunged off the structure.
The operative, who identified himself as Innocent, disclosed this during an exclusive interview with TVC News, recounting how the tanker crashed and burst into flames shortly after landing beneath the bridge.
According to him, he was sitting by a gate when he noticed the tanker speeding on the bridge before it plunged down.
“The trailer actually was on high speed,” he said, adding that he suspected a brake problem may have caused the crash.
“So, I think they (driver) stepped on the brake from here. But, the brake did not work. I think it’s a brake issue. They eventually landed there. The thing just exploded,” Innocent said.
He explained that some people were living beneath the bridge, including a man who was reportedly with his girlfriend when the fire broke out.
“In fact, they sleep there. Even one, there was one with his girlfriend. I think when the thing happened, immediately, the fire caught them,” he said.
According to the eyewitness, three people ran while engulfed in flames, prompting him to attempt a rescue with water from his dispenser.
“I tried to bring out water from my dispenser to pour, but before I got to this place, the guy already ran into the gutter there,” he recounted.
The security operative also raised concerns about the response time of emergency responders, claiming it took about 40 minutes for them to arrive after the incident occurred shortly after 4 p.m.
“When it happened, it took them another 40 minutes before they responded,” he said.
TVC News had earlier reported that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) was investigating the cause of the tanker crash.
The Head of Operations of the FRSC in Lagos State, Deputy Corps Commander Emma Fekoya, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with TVC News, saying investigators were considering several possible factors behind the incident.
What You Should Know
A fatal tanker crash and explosion beneath the Otedola Bridge in Lagos has brought renewed attention to vehicular safety on major highways and the vulnerability of informal settlements located under bridges.
- Positive Impact: Prompt investigations by the Federal Road Safety Corps aim to uncover the root causes, which could lead to stricter enforcement of road safety regulations for heavy-duty vehicles.
- Potential Concerns: The incident highlights ongoing safety risks regarding unregulated habitation under bridges and raises questions about emergency response times during critical disasters.
