- Rescue efforts were made, but the victim couldn’t be located; the rider’s brother continues the search
- Police officer suggests searching downstream, while local rescue operation team receives advice
- Federal Fire Service also present at the scene to aid in the rescue mission
An unidentified tricycle operator is reported to have drowned on Wednesday morning in a river at Utako, Abuja.
The occurrence took place close to the bridge following Good Tidings church, in close proximity to Utako market.
Eyewitnesses report that the rider lost his life in an attempt to clean his tricycle by the river before commencing his day’s work.
“He was washing his keke and slipped during the process. We’ve been making efforts to rescue him, but unfortunately, we haven’t been able to locate him,” one of the people who tried to rescue the rider stated.
But he added that the victim’s brother had not given up the search for his sibling in the river.
“Based on my experience, I suggested they search farther downstream, but they insisted that in cases like this, the victim is typically not found too far from where the drowning occurred,” a police officer at the scene said, advising the local rescue operation team.
Federal Fire Service were also on the ground to rescue the rider.
In a statement released by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, which was posted on their official and verified Twitter account @followlasma, the series of accidents involved a 40-foot container, two Toyota Camry vehicles with license plates KRD 432 JA and APP 43 HN, as well as a sand-loaded tipper with license plate T 17001LA.
The agency highlighted that Lawal Babatunde from Eagle Bravo in Zone 11 Anthony, along with law enforcement personnel from the Ilupeju area, spearheaded the rescue operation.
As per the findings of LASMA’s investigation, a 40-foot container truck experienced brake failure, resulting in a high-speed collision with three other vehicles, including a tipper truck laden with sand.
The statement partly read, “The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Bolaji Oreagba, cautioned the motoring public to always ensure that their vehicles are in good condition before embarking on any journey both within and outside Lagos.
“Policemen from Ilupeju Police Command supported Lastma officials during the rescue operations.”
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