Tragedy averted on Lagos-Ibadan expressway
Sunday, June 10th, 2012
*Oil tanker falls, spills content
Olasunkanmi Akoni
10 June 2012, Sweetcrude, LAGOS -RESCUE team on Saturday averted what could have been another tragedy when a fully loaded fuel tanker fell on the Berger axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, spilling its contents and causing serious traffic jam for several hours.
It will be recalled that last weekend there was a multiple accident caused by an oil tanker along the same Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, around Shagamu interchange in which at least 12 persons reportedly died and several vehicles got burnt.
Eyewitnesses said the tanker was about negotiating the hilly bend between Michael Otedola Estate and Capital Oil Filling Station when it veered off its track and fell on its side spilling its contents on the road. The incident forced motorists to make a U-turn for fear of outbreak of fire.
Traffic officials swiftly moved to contain the gridlock that ensued diverting vehicles from the path where the fuel was flowing even as motorists got stuck in traffic.
Confirming the incident, Lagos State commissioner for transportation, Mr Kayode Opeifa, said the tanker upturned while trying to reverse at the hilly bend of Michael Otedola Estate Area, saying traffic officials were able to control the situation.
Also commenting, the General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said immediately the accident occurred, the scene was condoned off to enable its men manage the scene.
