A mother and her child have died after two 20-foot container-laden trucks overturned at Mile 2 near Freeman Market inward Apapa Lagos.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the victims were trapped beneath the trucks and their containers in the incident which occurred over the weekend.
In a statement LASTMA said its rescue and recovery team responded to the scene cordoned off the affected road and diverted traffic through an adjoining service lane to ease congestion and prevent further accidents.
The agency deployed a crane and a high-capacity tow vehicle to remove the overturned trucks and their cargoes while police officers provided security during the recovery operation.
The victims’ remains were later taken to the Police Mortuary in Yaba for necessary procedures.
LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki expressed condolences to the bereaved family and called for a thorough investigation to establish the cause of the incident.
He said investigators should determine whether mechanical defects excessive loading improper cargo distribution driver negligence or other factors contributed to the trucks’ overturning.
Bakare-Oki urged truck operators to ensure their vehicles were roadworthy secure their cargoes properly and comply with road safety regulations.
He also called on motorists particularly heavy-duty vehicle operators to exercise caution and follow prescribed safety standards to prevent avoidable road crashes.