Ibrahim Farinloye, the Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has expressed little hope of rescuing the two passengers who fell into the Lagos lagoon after a bus accident on Wednesday,Daily Trust reports.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the accident site in Lagos, Farinloye’s statement coincided with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirming severe injuries to the remaining occupants of the bus.
According to Farinloye, the accident earlier in the day resulted in two adults being thrown off an 18-seater bus into the Lagos lagoon near the Adeniyi Adele axis on the Third Mainland Bridge. The driver, reportedly speeding, lost control and collided with the bridge railings, causing the passengers’ ejection.
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Despite rescue efforts by the Marine Police and NEMA, Farinloye stated that the focus had shifted from search and rescue to recovery, as the male passenger had reportedly floated three times before drowning, while the female passenger didn’t surface at all.
Additional local divers mobilized by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) joined the recovery efforts.
Jonathan Owoade, Zonal Coordinator of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), supported Farinloye’s assessment, adding that the other victims had been rescued and taken to a nearby hospital.
The accident, likely caused by speeding, led to severe injuries among the passengers. Emergency response agencies, including marine police, LASEMA, FRSC, NEMA, and local divers, were present at the scene.
The accident, occurring on the day of Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, highlights the need for caution on the Third Mainland Bridge, which recently reopened with an 80 km per hour speed limit following repairs.
Motorists are reminded to adhere to speed limits and ensure vehicle safety, as negligence can lead to avoidable accidents.
