No fewer than 20 people were feared dead in an auto crash involving four vehicles at Agric Bus Stop Area of Ikorodu, Lagos State on Saturday.
Eyewitnesses told Sunday Independent that at exactly 4.30p.m, a crane headed towards Ketu, lost control and crushed three vehicles, including a commercial bus picking passengers at the popular Agric Bus stop.
Petty traders hawking baked beans, banana and other wares by the roadside were not spared in the mishap.
It was gathered that the Leyland Crusader crane marked RV 693 NC, belonging to Equip Hold Leasing Heavy Equipment Plant and registered at First Gate Tin Can Island, Apapa, Lagos, initially claimed two men sitting on it before it finally ran over three vehicles.
The vehicles involved are a Ford bus marked XD 323 AAB (Ogun), a Toyota station wagon car marked AG 087 BDG (Lagos) and an Ikorodu/Ebute-Ero bound bus, picking passengers at the bus stop.
Worst hit were the passengers aboard the ill-fated Mazda bus marked LSMD and with the inscription, “With God All Things Are Possible”.
Make-shift shops along the roadside were also run over and traders inside them crushed.
A good number those under makeshift sheds were feared dead, while others sustained serious injuries.
Casualty figure was conservatively put at 20, as the number of victims who sustained serious injuries could still not be ascertained.
They were all rushed to Ikorodu General Hospital. Officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Bus Service (LASAMBUS), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and policemen attached to Owutu Division, had hectic time clearing the debris of the crashed vehicles.
Lagos State police commissioner, Emmanuel Adebayo, who was attracted to the scene also helped in rescue efforts. He put the number of deaths at 17, including two pregnant women and two children.
The accident caused heavy traffic jam along the only road connecting Ikorodu and Lagos.