A 55-year-old motorist escaped unhurt after a moving train collided with his Honda car at the PWD Railway Line in Lagos, prompting a swift response from operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, and security personnel.
The incident involved a train travelling towards Agege and a Honda car with registration number EKY 902 JT. The collision left the car extensively damaged, virtually beyond repair, but no casualty was recorded.
LASTMA said in a statement issued on Friday that it’s operatives and security personnel rescued the driver and removed the wrecked vehicle from the railway track, allowing the train to continue its journey towards Agege.
However, traffic congestion persisted around the PWD axis after the incident, despite the removal of the vehicle.
LASTMA subsequently handed the damaged Honda car over to security personnel for investigation into the cause of the collision.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commended the agency’s operatives and security personnel for their prompt response and cooperation in managing the incident.
He stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration, situational awareness and quick emergency response in reducing the impact of incidents involving trains and adjoining road infrastructure.
Bakare-Oki urged motorists to exercise caution when approaching railway crossings and designated train routes, warning against crossing tracks when a train is approaching or already in motion.
He said disregard for railway safety rules could result in devastating consequences.
LASTMA also called on motorists and other road users to remain vigilant, exercise sound judgement and obey traffic and railway safety regulations, stressing that responsible conduct and strict compliance with safety instructions could prevent avoidable collisions.
“The preservation of human life must remain paramount in all road-use decisions, as preventable collisions can be averted through responsible conduct, anticipatory caution and strict observance of safety instructions,” the statement said.
