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A major disaster was averted on Wednesday after a truck conveying 33,000 litres of ethanol fell off the Second Rainbow Bridge in the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The incident, which occurred at about 11am, involved a FOTON truck with registration number APP 346 YC. No casualty was recorded, according to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency.
The agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said preliminary investigations indicated that the accident occurred when the driver was attempting to negotiate a turn on the bridge.
He attributed the incident to speeding, which reportedly caused the truck’s turntable to detach and fall onto the roundabout, obstructing the entire stretch.
Emergency responders were immediately deployed to the scene because of the highly volatile nature of ethanol, which posed a potential risk of fire and explosion.
Swift emergency response prevents disaster
Oke-Osanyintolu said the Eagle Response Team, working with other emergency agencies, immediately cordoned off the affected area and activated crowd and traffic control measures to prevent further danger.
He explained that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Federal Fire Service applied chemical foam to the truck and its surroundings to suppress fumes and minimise the risk of a secondary incident.
Personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority also secured the scene and managed traffic around the affected area.
“Through coordinated and tactical efforts, a major disaster was averted, and no loss of life or casualty was recorded,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.
The incident raised concerns over the risks associated with transporting large quantities of hazardous materials on roads, particularly when heavy-duty vehicles are involved in accidents in densely populated areas.
Cement truck causes traffic disruption in Agege
In a separate incident, LASEMA said its Tiger Response Team from C3 restored traffic movement at Oke Koto in Agege after a Dangote cement truck climbed a road divider and became stuck.
Oke-Osanyintolu attributed the incident to reckless driving, saying the truck obstructed vehicular movement and required the intervention of emergency responders and LASTMA officials.
He said the agency deployed its heavy-duty recovery equipment, known as Super Metro, to remove the stranded vehicle.
The truck was subsequently towed to the LASTMA yard for further action, while normal traffic movement was restored on the affected road.
No death or injury was recorded in the incident.
LASEMA warns motorists against reckless driving
The LASEMA permanent secretary commended the emergency responders for their swift intervention in both incidents, noting that their coordinated efforts helped prevent further danger and restore traffic movement.
He urged motorists to obey speed limits and traffic regulations, particularly when transporting heavy loads and hazardous materials.
Oke-Osanyintolu also advised residents to report emergencies through LASEMA’s toll-free numbers, 767 and 112, to enable emergency teams to respond promptly.
The incidents occurred a day after emergency responders rescued two men from a fire that engulfed an eight-room bungalow on Onitire Road in Itire, Lagos.
During the fire incident, a 42-year-old man sustained burns while attempting to rescue a 75-year-old wheelchair user, highlighting the risks faced by residents and emergency responders during rescue operations.
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