Vehicle plunges into Lagos Lagoon

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There was pandemonium on Third Mainland Bridge after a vehicle veered off the bridge plunging into the lagoon on Saturday.

 The vehicle, a gold-coloured Toyota Sienna with number-plate, EKY974BB, was on high speed inward Oworo Shola when the incident occurred.

According to eyewitness’ accounts, the incident occurred a few minutes after 10am.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Shola Oladimeji, 53, was said to have rammed into a police post situated on the side of the bridge before hitting the railings and plunging into the lagoon.

A witness, Soji Ajileye, said, “A few minutes after 10am, many vehicles on the bridge were speeding as they do after every environmental sanitation.

“The driver of the Sienna was on high speed and he seemed to have lost control and then applied the brakes suddenly. He hit a police traffic post and then the railings before entering the water.”

It was learnt that fortunately for the driver, fishermen on the lagoon rushed to the spot.

The fishermen were said to have broken the glass of the vehicle and rescued the victim.

The incident caused a traffic snarl from the bridge all the way to Ogudu as motorists parked their vehicles to take pictures.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, the Federal Road Safety Corps officials, fire service officials, policemen and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps later came to the scene to evacuate the vehicle.

A boat belonging to the Lagos State Water Authority removed the vehicle from the water while a towing vehicle on the bridge pulled it to the surface.

The General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Femi Oke-Osayintolu, said the driver had been taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital for treatment.

The Lagos Sector Commander, FRSC, Nseobong Akpabio, confirmed to our correspondent on the telephone, that the accident was caused by high speed.

Akpabio said although the driver was the lone occupant of the vehicle, local divers were still searching the water if there were other victims.

“The accident could have been prevented if not for high speed. Motorists should be careful on the road and drive with caution,” he said.

 On Saturday evening, Oladimeji has been discharged