LASTMA stops commuters from drinking spilled beer after cr∆sh

LASTMA stops commuters from drinking spilled beer after crash

A beer-laden truck crashed into a dispatch rider and two vehicles at Abalti Barracks, inward Ojuelegba, Lagos, on Tuesday, spilling bottles of beer onto the road and prompting commuters to scramble for the drinks before officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority intervened to stop them.

The LASTMA Public Relations Officer, Adebayo Taofeeq, disclosed this while speaking with PUNCH Metro during a telephone interview on Tuesday.

Taofeeq explained that the truck driver was travelling at high speed when he attempted to avoid hitting a vehicle ahead of him.

According to him, the driver failed to apply his brakes in time and swerved, hitting the dispatch rider before crashing into two other vehicles.

He said, “It was at high speed. The driver had to stop, but it was too late for him. He did not apply his brakes. Once he applied them, suddenly, he was going to hit the car ahead of him, so he swerved to hit the car head-on.

“He hit a dispatch rider down on the ground. It was much on the dispatch bike, and after that, he went ahead and hit another vehicle.”

The vehicles involved were identified as a Lexus Jeep with registration number LXR 960JS, a Hyundai Jeep with registration number KTU 12JS, and a dispatch motorcycle with registration number AAA 151QT.

Taofeeq said the dispatch rider was seriously injured in the crash and was rescued by LASTMA personnel before being taken for medical attention.

He said LASTMA officials also worked with the police to manage the accident scene and prevent the crash from causing further traffic disruption.

The accident, however, took an unusual turn after several bottles of beer being conveyed by the truck fell onto the roadway.

According to Taofeeq, members of the public immediately began picking up the unbroken bottles and drinking the beer.

He said LASTMA officials intervened when they arrived at the scene.

He stated, “In the course of the accident, there were some bottles of beer that fell. Some people started picking one bottle after the other. But immediately when we arrived at the accident scene, we stopped people from engaging in it and drinking the beer that was scattered.”

Despite the intervention, the scene attracted members of the public, with some commuters reportedly stopping on their way to work to drink the spilled beer.

Some people were also seen carrying plastic bottles to collect the beer for takeaway, turning the accident scene into what appeared to be an impromptu “free bar.”

The development sparked mixed reactions among members of the public. While some sympathised with the beer company over the loss of its products and condemned people taking advantage of the accident, others made jokes about the unusual situation.

Taofeeq said LASTMA moved quickly to clear the accident scene and prevent further disruption.

He said, “We quickly cleared everything in a way to avoid any further traffic congestion or accident.”

In a statement posted on its official X account, LASTMA confirmed that the crash involved a Fuso truck loaded with beer, a Lexus Jeep, a Hyundai Jeep and an Okada.

The agency said the crash occurred at Abalti Barracks, inward Ojuelegba, adding that the contents of the truck spilled onto the roadway.

The agency said its personnel were deployed to manage the situation, while policemen were also present at the scene.

It added that officials of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority were clearing broken bottles from the roadway.

“Our personnel are on the ground managing the situation; men of the Nigeria Police are also present, while LAWMA officials are clearing the broken bottles from the roadway,” LASTMA stated.

The agency urged motorists to exercise caution while passing through the area.

Taofeeq also used the incident to caution motorists as part of LASTMA’s Ember Months road-safety campaign, urging them to avoid reckless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol.

He said the agency commenced its Ember Months campaign on September 1 because of the increased movement, festivities and road activities associated with the period.

“I want to appeal to members of the public to avoid reckless driving. They must not drink and drive,” he said.

Taofeeq further disclosed that LASTMA had introduced a free emergency hotline, 3367, for members of the public to report reckless driving, accidents and other incidents requiring the agency’s intervention.

He said, “For everybody that has observed any reckless driving, any accident or any incident on the road, they should call 3367 so that the attention of LASTMA is promptly brought to it.”

He urged motorists and other road users to drive responsibly and cooperate with traffic officials throughout the Ember Months period.