The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has issued a renewed call for road users to exercise caution and comply with traffic regulations following a tragic accident on Thursday, where a dispatch rider was killed in a collision with a moving train at the PWD Railway Level Crossing in Ikeja.
The incident involved a dispatch rider on a motorcycle, registered as AGL 179 QR, who attempted to cross the railway tracks near Ikeja GRA as a train approached.
According to LASTMA, the rider ignored warning signals and was struck by the oncoming train, resulting in his immediate death.
The train was unable to stop in time and continued along its route after the collision.Eyewitnesses reported that the rider was speeding and attempted to outrun the train.
“He was in a hurry and didn’t heed the signals indicating the train was close,” one bystander recounted.LASTMA officials, supported by Shogunle Police Division officers, quickly secured the scene to manage traffic, while the Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) evacuated the rider’s body.
In a statement, LASTMA General Manager Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki expressed condolences to the victim’s family and described the incident as a stark warning of the dangers of reckless behavior at railway crossings.
“This tragedy shows the severe consequences of impatience and failure to follow traffic safety rules, especially at railway level crossings,” he said.
Bakare-Oki urged dispatch riders, motorists, and all road users to strictly adhere to warning signs, traffic lights, and signals, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance at railway crossings.
“We call for patience and responsibility to prevent avoidable loss of life,” he added.LASTMA vowed to ramp up public awareness campaigns and intensify patrols in high-risk areas to promote road safety.
“Our commitment to public education, enforcement, and advocacy remains unwavering as we work to ensure discipline and safety across Lagos,” Bakare-Oki stated.
The accident adds to a growing list of fatal incidents at Lagos railway crossings, often attributed to impatience and disregard for safety protocols.
LASTMA’s renewed push for compliance comes amid other recent incidents, including a deadly Kogi road crash claiming 10 lives and ongoing efforts to curb impostors exploiting LASTMA’s name in fraudulent schemes.
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