5 Feared Dead, Scores Injured as Train Crushes Lagos BRT

By Abiola Peters

Five persons have been feared dead and many others severely injured in a fatal accident involving a BRT Bus and a fast-moving train at a PWD bus stop, in Ikeja, Lagos.

Radio Nigeria Correspondent Abiola Peters who visited the scene of the accident reports that the bus with the emblem of Lagos State Government and marked with the number 250033, was hit in the middle by the train while it attempted to cross the track, dragging it a few metres.

Eyewitnesses especially passengers on board the train blamed the driver of the bus for not heeding the blare of the horn of the train from as far as Ikeja before PWD, the spot of the tragic incident.

The driver reportedly attempted to escape but was apprehended by bystanders.

Victims of the accident include persons hanging on the train which took off from Ijoko in Ogun State.

It took over thirty minutes before any ambulance arrived at the scene, while rescue services were carried out by well-meaning individuals.

An eyewitness, Mr Musa Hayatou and many others blamed the unfortunate incident on the absence of officials of the Nigeria Railway Corporation to control movement at terminals.

Mr Hayatou also expressed disappointment over the late arrival of the emergency service providers, despite the closeness of the scene to the Lagos State General Hospital and Police State Command.

Rescue operations by a combined team of Emergency Management agencies are ongoing as of the time of this report.