Truck Driver Dies, Motor Boy Injured as Container Truck Overturns in Lagos

 Truck Driver Dies, Motor Boy Injured as Container Truck Overturns in Lagos

LAGOS, Nigeria – A truck driver has lost his life while his assistant, popularly known as a motor boy, sustained multiple injuries following a lone accident involving a 40-foot containerised articulated vehicle along the Isheri Elemu-Ijegun corridor of Lagos State.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed that the fatal incident occurred when the empty articulated truck suddenly lost stability and overturned while in motion.

According to preliminary investigations, the driver became trapped beneath the overturned vehicle and died instantly from the impact of the crash. The motor boy, who was travelling with him, survived the accident but suffered multiple fractures and injuries.

LASTMA's Rescue and Recovery Unit swiftly responded to the emergency, successfully recovering the driver's body from beneath the wreckage and rescuing the injured motor boy, who was immediately evacuated to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment.

The agency said its personnel secured the accident scene, implemented traffic control measures and coordinated emergency response operations to prevent secondary accidents and ensure the safety of other road users.

Officers of the Isheri Osun Police Division also provided security support throughout the rescue and recovery exercise, helping to maintain order and facilitate emergency operations.

To restore normal traffic flow, emergency responders deployed a heavy-duty crane and a flatbed recovery truck to remove the overturned vehicle and clear the roadway.

Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed sadness over the loss of the driver and extended condolences to his family.

He also wished the injured motor boy a speedy recovery while reiterating the agency's commitment to promoting road safety across Lagos State.

Bakare-Oki stressed the importance of routine mechanical inspections and preventive maintenance for heavy-duty vehicles, particularly articulated trucks operating on the state's highways.

He urged truck owners, fleet operators, transport companies and drivers to ensure that critical vehicle components, including braking systems, steering mechanisms, tyres and suspension systems, undergo regular professional assessments to guarantee roadworthiness.

According to him, avoidable mechanical failures remain a major threat to lives and property, underscoring the need for strict compliance with road safety regulations.