A night of horror unfolded on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday as a multiple-vehicle crash on the Kara Bridge claimed at least six lives, including that of a police officer.
The tragic accident, which occurred around midnight, involved several articulated trucks, one of them a fuel tanker, that collided and burst into flames, sending thick smoke into the night sky and halting traffic for hours.
Eyewitnesses recounted that one of the trucks, laden with goods, lost control and slammed into the bridge’s concrete barrier.
The impact ripped off its cabin, which plunged into the river below. "It was like a movie. One of the trucks just veered off and everything went up in flames within minutes," said a motorist who narrowly escaped the scene.
Rescue workers said one of the victims was burnt beyond recognition, while others, including a police inspector, died before help could reach them.
It was revealed that three people were pulled out alive and rushed to hospital with varying degrees of injury.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident, saying eight casualties were recorded.
"It was a case of multiple collisions involving trucks, one spilling cartons of biscuits, another bursting into flames, and one plunging off the bridge," the agency posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account.
A towing truck deployed to clear the wreckage was also hit during the recovery operation, worsening the chaos.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, described the accident as "avoidable," blaming it on reckless driving and possible brake failure.
"Unfortunately, we lost a police inspector who was carrying out his duty. The accident is under investigation, and those responsible will face prosecution," he said.
Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the police, and emergency responders worked late into the night to evacuate victims and clear debris, but traffic remained at a standstill for hours.
The gridlock spilled onto the Lagos-bound lane as impatient drivers took to one-way routes, while commercial drivers hiked fares.
Commuters at Berger reported paying as much as N2,500 for trips that usually cost half that amount.
Wednesday’s crash came barely a day after another truck fell on Otedola Bridge, according to reports.
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