By Cliffsimeon Akalonu
SUNRISE NEWS, Lagos, Sept 14, 2020 Notwithstanding the Monday morning fatal accident involving its Mass Transit Train Service (MTTS), the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) said train operations would not be suspended.
The Lagos District Manager Engr Jerry Oche who disclosed this in a telephone interview said the train would run on schedule notwithstanding the accident.
Recall that the Corporation had resumed the MTTS on Monday after a six months suspension following the restriction of movement order by the Federal Government. The NRC had said it would operate one train service in the morning from Ijoko, in Ogun State to Iddo, in Lagos Mainland, with a return trip from Iddo to Ijoko, in the evenings.
A multiple accident, involving a bus and a SUV car had occurred on the train’s first day of operation, killing two and leaving others in critical condition.
Oche said the accident is regrettable, coming on the first day of the operation of the train service. He however said the accident would not deter the corporation from providing the masses the train service.
The Director-General Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who confirmed the incident said: “LASEMA received distress calls at 8:12am and on arrival, it was discovered that a Ford passenger vehicle with plate number GGE 972 GE and six passengers onboard, had veered onto the train tracks while crossing the rail at PWD inward Oshodi and subsequently collided with a scheduled commuter train,” LASEMA DG said.
The two vehicles were then dragged along for about 800 metres before the train managed to come to a complete halt.
Oke-Osanyintolu, revealed that the Agency was able to successfully remove eight passengers, six with minor injuries were provided with on-site medical care while two males including a 20-year old sustained severe injuries and were taken to LASUTH for further treatment. The other adult male subsequently lost his life.
The accident vehicles were recovered off the road with the aid of the Agency’s Light rescue equipment while traffic management measures were put in place by the emergency responders, alongside taskforce officials and the Nigeria Police.
He advised members of the public, especially drivers of commuter buses are to obey traffic regulations to prevent loss of life, injuries, and transport delays.