The Lagos state staff bus involved in the accident being moved out of the scene by a state Emergency truck at PWD bus stop area of lkeja in Lagos. Photo: Adeyemi Adesanya
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi says 32 survivors have been discharged, following Thursday March 9 collision of a train and a staff bus at the Ikeja area of the state.
Prof Abayomi at a press conference at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) on Friday said 102 casualties were recorded.
According to the commissioner, six people have died, while 19 people have been released from LASUTH, five from the State Accident and Emergency Centre at Old Toll Gate, and eight from Orile-Agege General Hospital.
He also said that 256 units of voluntary blood were collected from Lagos State residents on Thursday, and that 40 units of blood were transferred for the victims.
“I went to visit them after I left LASUTH, and all of them are stable and doing fine. Some of them will indeed be discharged later on today,” he added.
Radio Nigeria’s Correspondent who visited the scene of the accident reports that the bus, carrying the emblem of Lagos State Government, marked number 250033, was hit in the middle by the train as it attempted to cross the tracks, and was dragged along by a few metres.
Eyewitnesses said they could hear the blast of the horn of the train as the bus driver attempted to cross the rail tracks.
The driver reportedly attempted to escape but was apprehended by bystanders.
There was a delay before the arrival of the ambulance though bystanders attempted to rescue some of the injured persons.
People were disappointment over the late arrival of the emergency service providers, despite the closeness of the scene to the Lagos State General Hospital and Police State Command.
Sanwo-Olu suspends campaign for 3-days
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu suspended campaign ahead of the March 18 governorship election.
In a Facebook post about his visit to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where the majority of the accident victims are being treated, Governor Sanwo-Olu also said all flags would be flown at half-mast and all civil servants should work till 12pm on Friday.
He appealed for blood donation, noting that it is still a critical period for some victims.
Sanwo-Olu described the incident as totally avoidable, saying it simply required patience and the need to follow proper transportation protocol.
Federal government sends condolences
Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq, the humanitarian minister described the incident as unfortunate.
While sympathising with the Lagos state government and victims of the crash, the Minister condoled with the injured victims and families of those who lost their lives in the accident.
“We however need more sensitisation programmes for BRT drivers and other railway line and road users on the dangers of crossing the rail when a train is approaching”, she said.
Reporting by Abiola Peters, Hadiza Abdulrahman; Editing by Julian Osamoto, Muzha Kucha, Adeniyi Bakare and Tony Okerafor