▪️ Accident was avoidable, sad Sanwo-Olu declares as he suspends campaign to mourn the deceased
▪️ “He didn’t heed the warning,” LASEMA boss gives a blow-by-blow account of how bus driver’s “recklessness” to “beat the train traffic signal’ led to the loss of lives and limbs + FULL STATEMENT
Lagos state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has disclosed that the number of casualties in the Train-Bus accident has risen to six.
Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), had earlier said three people died from the accident.
Sanwo-Olu, in his Twitter handle said the accident was avoidable. He however, suspended campaigns to mourn the departed soul.
He said: “This was a totally avoidable incident that simply required patience and the need to follow proper transportation protocol.
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“There were 85 pax on board the bus with 6 deaths, 42 moderate injuries, 29 serious and 8 mild injuries according to the LASUTH classification scale.
“Lagos is in a state of mourning and for the next 3 days, I am suspending all campaign activities.
“All flags will be flown at half mast and tomorrow all civil servants will work till 12 noon before returning home to be with their loved ones during this trying time.
“It is still a critical period for some of the patients as we continue to call for blood donations across different state government medical facilities.
“This is a call for our humanity to rise above all. I also thank LASEMA, the security agencies, staff and students of LASUTH,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Transportation Muazu Sambo commiserated with the families of the victims and particularly the Governor and people of Lagos state.
He said: “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 duty early hours of today in Shogunle, Lagos.
“We pray for eternal repose for those who have lost their lives and we pray the Almighty God grant them eternal rest and we pray speedy recovery to the injured.
“We commiserate with the families of the victims and particularly the Governor and people of Lagos state. Please accept our deepest concern and sincere condolences.
“We also appreciate the corporation we got from the Lagos State Government, NEMA and concerned Nigerians who swung into action after the ill-fated incident to ensure the site was cleared and the injured got treatment almost immediately,” Sambo said.
Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu had earlier said three people died from the accident.
He said earlier Thursday that: “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 one male) confirmed dead and 84 people are 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,” he stated.
