A teenage boy has been hospitalised after he was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver while crossing the Onipanu Bus Rapid Transit corridor inward Fadeyi, Lagos State.
The incident occurred around 4:30pm on Wednesday, according to the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.
Oke-Osanyintolu said the teenager sustained head and leg injuries in the incident, adding that LASEMA’s Cobra Team arrived at the scene two minutes after receiving the distress call.
He said the team administered first aid to the victim before transporting him to the Trauma Centre for further medical attention.
The permanent secretary said, “In the incident recorded at 4:30 pm along the Onipanu BRT corridor inward Fadeyi, the Cobra Team responded within two minutes, arriving at 4:32 pm to find a teenage boy who had been hit by a vehicle while crossing the expressway and was in urgent need of medical attention, having sustained head and leg injuries in a hit-and-run.
“Upholding the people-centric governance philosophy of the administration, the team provided immediate assistance and ensured the swift transportation of the victim to the Trauma Centre for definitive medical care.”
Oke-Osanyintolu urged motorists to avoid reckless driving and speeding and adhere to traffic regulations.
He also advised pedestrians to use pedestrian bridges and designated crossing points when crossing major roads.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Cobra Team responded to another accident involving a truck and a Toyota Camry opposite the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Onipanu, inward Fadeyi.
The crash occurred around 5:10am and involved a HOWO truck with registration number T-36016LA and a black Toyota Camry marked FST-970KS.
According to Oke-Osanyintolu, preliminary investigations indicated that reckless driving and speeding by the truck driver caused the crash.
He said the emergency team, working with the police and officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, diverted traffic to prevent secondary accidents while recovery operations were conducted.
The Camry was towed to the Onipanu Police Station using LASEMA’s light tow truck, while the truck was driven to the station.
Oke-Osanyintolu said no life was lost in the early-morning crash, adding that the road was subsequently cleared and reopened to traffic.
He commended the Cobra Team, the police and LASTMA for their prompt response and collaboration in managing the two incidents.
The permanent secretary reiterated the state government’s commitment to protecting lives and property and strengthening emergency response operations across the state.
The development came a day after a female police inspector, Mercy Bassey, reportedly died after she was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver while on route-lining duty ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s arrival in Lagos.
A security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Bassey was hit by a black Highlander SUV while crossing the Third Mainland Bridge at the Adekunle intersection inward Lagos Island.