Elderly Man Killed When Fully Loaded Truck Overturns After Tyre Burst in Lagos

A fully loaded six‑tyre truck overturned on Sunday near the TREM axis of Gbagada, inward Oshodi, in Lagos State after its front tyre burst, resulting in the death of an elderly male passenger. The truck, registered ABJ 37 AC, was carrying assorted consignments such as sealed bags and newly branded event chairs. According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the passenger fell from the front cabin and struck his head on a sharp object, causing instantaneous death.

LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare‑Oki, said the vehicle was travelling at considerable speed when the tyre failure occurred, leading the driver to lose control. The authority’s Night Rescue Team, conducting routine surveillance along major traffic corridors, arrived quickly, cordoned off the scene and evacuated the deceased to a Lagos State Emergency Medical Services ambulance. Officers from the Pedro Police Division and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also joined the emergency efforts.

Background

The incident involved a Mercedes‑Benz six‑tyre truck, as confirmed by LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq. Preliminary investigations indicated that excessive speed reduced the driver’s reaction time and compromised vehicle stability, exacerbating the impact of the tyre burst. LASTMA officials noted that the volume and nature of the cargo prevented immediate removal of the overturned vehicle; arrangements were made to transfer the goods to another empty truck before the damaged truck could be cleared.

Bakare‑Oki expressed condolences to the victim’s family and described the loss as both painful and avoidable. The official restated LASTMA's continuous initiative encouraging heavy vehicle drivers, commercial transport providers, and other road users to adopt safe driving habits, perform routine vehicle checks, and closely monitor tires, brakes, and other essential parts.

Why it matters

The fatality underscores the risks associated with heavy‑duty vehicles operating at high speeds on densely populated urban highways. LASTMA highlighted that speed moderation, vehicle roadworthiness and compliance with traffic regulations are essential to prevent similar accidents. The involvement of multiple emergency agencies—LASTMA’s Night Rescue Team, Lagos State Emergency Medical Services, Pedro Police Division and the Fire and Rescue Service—demonstrates the coordinated response required to manage road incidents and protect public safety.

The incident also raises concerns for commercial operators transporting goods across Lagos, where traffic congestion and infrastructure pressures are high. LASTMA’s warning to drivers about the dangers of excessive speed and inadequate vehicle maintenance aims to reduce the likelihood of future crashes that could result in injuries, fatalities or significant disruption to traffic flow.

What happens next

LASTMA indicated that the overturned truck will be recovered after its cargo is transferred to another vehicle, though no specific timeline was provided. The authority plans to continue its proactive traffic surveillance and rapid emergency response efforts, emphasizing regular inspections and driver training to mitigate mechanical failures and speed‑related accidents in the future.