.Six Lagos workers die, others injured as train collides with staff bus
– Declares 3 days mourning as Obasa cancles political walk
-Single mother of four among victims
.Transport minister orders investigation
At least six staff of the Lagos State Government were feared dead and many others sustained varying degrees of injuries on Thursday when a staff bus and a train had a head-on collision along Agege Motor Road, Ikeja area of the State.
The State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed deep shock and sorrow over the early morning accident and declared three days mourning for victims of the Train/Bus accident that occurred at Shogunle area of the state.
The Governor also hinted that the number of deaths recorded was six.
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa on Thursday suspended a political walk across Agege in honour of those who lost their lives in a train accident that happened in the Ikeja area of the State earlier in the day.
A medical staff at LASUTH who dis not want her name in print told our correspondent that the number of injured were many but many of them were responding to treatment.
She further stated a single mother of four children by name Mrs Dada also lost her life.
The six victims of the accident that had left many of their colleagues mourning were identified by emergency officials as one male and two female staff of the State government.
The accident was said to have occurred around PWD Bus Stop when the bus was about to cross the rail track and during the process and eventually collided with the train.
The tragic incident was confirmed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), its Lagos counterpart, LASEMA, and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
The accident which involved an ill-fated Lagos State Government staff bus with number plate 04A- 48LA had compounded gridlock around the axis, reducing the travel time of motorists.
The Southwest Coordinator, NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, and Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, in separate statements described the accident as a tragedy.
Oke-Osanyintolu said: “Investigation gathered revealed that the immediate cause of the incident could be attributed to reckless driving on the part of the staff bus driver while trying to beat the train traffic signal before the moving train rammed into the BRT bus.
“Unfortunately, three adults were confirmed dead and several people were seriously injured. The injured victims have been administered first aid treatment by the agency’s medical team (paramedics) and LASAMBUS officials, well stabilized and being transported to the trauma center at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja for further treatment”.
However, the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has sympathized with victims of Ikeja train accident.
A train collided with a staff boss of Lagos State government killing and injuring many.
In a statement by his media aide, Mr. Tunde Rahman, Tinubu prayed for the repose of the souls of the dead and recovery of those injured.
His words: “I offer my sincere condolences to the victims and families affected by the gory incident involving a train and a bus in the Ikeja area of Lagos State earlier today.
“I am praying for all, including those who died and those who sustained injuries in the tragic and unfortunate incident.
“My thoughts are with them and with the Lagos State Government, even as I continue to follow the emergency response efforts closely and offer support, where necessary, to ensure that survivors and others involved receive the best care.”
Meanwhile Governor Sanwo-Olu who was saddened by the event, sends deep condolences to the families of those that lost their lives in the accident, praying that God would grant them eternal rest.
He said: “I am deeply saddened by the news of the accident. The vehicle was conveying staff of the Lagos State Government, our staff who serve the state in different capacities.
“Let’s say a prayer for the families and a prayer of mercy and protection for our state.
“My thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.”
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Governor Sanwo-Olu thanks Lagosians who joined the State’s first responders in the search and rescue operation, saying the true spirit of Lagos must be sustained at all times.
“A big thank you to well meaning Lagosians who immediately joined in rescue efforts. Our first responders and emergency services are on ground and we will share more information shortly,” he said.
Also, the Speaker met with the youth, men and women at the Pen Cinema area of Agege on his way from an official engagement and abruptly stopped them.
Obasa gave this indication in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Eromosele Ebhomele, described the train accident as a sad occurrence just as he sympathised with the families of the victims.
The Speaker thanked the various groups for their support, while asking them to return home in honour of those affected by the accident.
“I want to thank you all for coming out because of me. You have planned this walk since over three weeks and I understand.
“However, there was a sad incident today. A train collided with a bus conveying government staff and I learnt that casualties were recorded.
“You can imagine people who left their homes to go to work only to experience such terrible accident.
“As a result of this, I want to urge us all to return to our homes for the sake of the victims. Nobody prays to experience such. So I understand the feelings of the victims’ loved ones at this moment.
“I commiserate with the families of those who lost their lives and support Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as his administration commences a probe of the incident.
“I also urge you all to pray for the bereaved families and the injured as you all return home,” Obasa told the crowd.”
Also, The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has condoled with families of victims of Thursday’s accident involving a train and a BRT bus in Ikeja, Lagos State.
In a statement in Abuja, Gbajabiamila expressed grief over the death of innocent people going to their legitimate businesses.
The lawmaker described the incident as regrettable, saying that the accident was avoidable.
Gbajabiamila also sent his condolences to the people and Government of Lagos state over the incident.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of those that lost their lives and quick recovery for the injured.
Also, Ekiti Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has commiserated with his Lagos State counterpart, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, over Thursday’s train accident that left about six people dead and several injured.
The accident involved a train and a bus conveying Lagos state government workers, around Ikeja area, at a level crossing.
Oyebanji in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode on Thursday, in Ado-Ekiti, condoled with Sanwo-Olu, families and colleagues of victims of the accident, and the government and people of the state.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the accident and their families at this difficult time.
“We also pray for speedy recovery for those who sustained injuries in the accident.
“While we commiserate with the families and colleagues of the victims, we pray that God will repose the souls of the deceased and grant the injured speedy recovery,”
Transport minister orders investigation
The Minister of Transportation, Mr Mu’azu Sambo has expressed sadness over the train accident which occurred in the early hours of Thursday in Lagos.
This is contained in a statement by Henshaw Ogubike, Director of Press and Public Relations of the ministry on in Abuja.
Sambo had also ordered an immediate investigation into the unfortunate incident.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accident involved a Nigerian Railway Corporation passenger train and a Lagos State Government staff bus that was conveying workers to their offices in the Shogunle area of Lagos state.
The minister sympathised with the victims and prayed for the repose of the souls of those that died and quick recovery for the injured ones.
“We are saddened by the news of the accident which occurred this morning, involving a train operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a Lagos state staff bus conveying workers to their offices in the early hours of today.
“We pray for those who have lost their lives that the Almighty God should grant them eternal rest and speedy recovery to the injured,” he said.
He also commiserated with the families of the victims as well as the Government and people of Lagos state over the incident.
He appreciated the Lagos state government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and members of the public for their cooperation in helping to clear the site of the incident and ensuring that the injured got immediate treatment
Always adhere to railways crossing rules–Lagos FRSC charges motorists
The Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Babatunde Farinloye, has visited the scene of the crash involving a moving train and the Lagos State staff bus at the PWD railway crossing along Agege Motor Road.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the crash involved Lagos State Government Staff Marcopolo bus with registration number 04A 48 LA and a moving train on Thursday along Agege Motor Road corridor at 7.45 a.m.
Farinloye said that the bus was conveying 80 passengers as at time of the crash while four adults occupants have been confirmed dead.
According to him, the remaining occupants sustained various degrees of injuries and are receiving treatment at LASUTH Ikeja.
Farinloye commiserated with the families of the dead and also wished the injured quick recovery.
He commended all first responders like the FRSC, Nigeria Police, LASEMA, LASTMA for prompt rescue of the victims and promised that the crash will be investigated.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa, addressing newsmen alongside Heads of Agencies present at the crash scene, confirmed the incident and admonished motorists to always give way to train at all railway level crossings.
