**Sanwo-Olu commiserate with victims
The Managing Director, of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr Fidet Okhiria, has blamed the driver of the fully loaded staff bus belonging to Lagos State government involved in a fatal accident on Thursday morning for not stopping for a moving train to pass before crossing the rail line.
Reacting to the unfortunate incident on Thursday, he said the train belonging to the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC got involved in an accident at the Sogunle area of Lagos in the early hours.
It was gathered that two persons died on the spot and their bodies recovered, while several ohers sustained injuries and have been evacuated by the National Emergency Management Agency.
Okhiria said: “According to the information I gathered at the scene of the incident, they said many cars stopped when they got to the level crossing while the Lagos State Staff Bus driver continued moving, which I don’t know why.
“Maybe the driver thought he could pass before the train got nearer to him. He could not pass, and then the train crushed the bus; that is what we gathered.
“The train was coming from Ijoko to Iddo,”
He urged Lagos drivers to be more careful when passing through the level crossing, to avoid train accidents.
The managing director, who was concerned about the lives of the Lagos State staff, appealed to motorists to consider the level crossing at all times.
Okhiria said that when motorists get to the level crossing, they should not ignore the point where they should stop.
The Director, of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Taofiq, Adebayo, had said in a statement that a Lagos State Government staff bus was crushed by a moving train at PWD, Ikeja.
Adebayo said that the staff bus was with registration no 04A- 48LA,
He said that the enforcement officers of LASTMA were the first emergency responders at the scene of the accident.
Adebayo said they had called other emergency responders to join in the rescue.
He said that the accident recorded some casualties as the staff bus was fully loaded with govt staff going to the office in the morning.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has commiserate with victims of the Thursday morning accident, involving a train and a Lagos State Government staff bus, which happened between Shogunle and Ikeja, axis of the state.
Three persons reportedly died, while over 84 others sustained various degrees of injuries in the accident as confirmed by Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA.
In a swift reaction to the unfortunate incident, the Governor Babajide Sanyaolu expressed sadness, registered his sincere condolences to the families of those that lost their lives in the accident, praying that God would grant them eternal rest.
According to Sanwo-Olu: “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.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu, however, expressed appreciation to residents who assisted the state’s first responders in the search and rescue operation, saying “the true spirit of Lagos must be sustained at all times.”
He added: “A big thank you to well-meaning Lagosians who immediately joined in rescue efforts. Our first responders and emergency services are on the ground and we will share more information shortly.”
According to Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyitolu, “on the arrival of the agency’s response team at the scene of the incident, investigation gathered revealed that the immediate cause of the incident was due to reckless driving from part of the BRT bus driver while trying to beat the train road signal before the moving train rammed into the BRT bus.
“Unfortunately, three adults (two females and one male) were confirmed dead and 84 people were seriously injured.
“The injured victims have been administered first aid treatment by the agency’s medical team (paramedics) and LASAMBUS officials and were well stabilized before being transported to Ikeja General Hospital and trauma center for further treatment.
“The agency pre-hospital care unit, LASAMBUS officials, Nigeria Police Force, LASTMA, LNSC, and Nigerian Army are responders present at the scene of the incident.”