LASTMA Rescues 8-Month-Old Baby as 4 Pedestrians Sustain Severe Injuries

A routine Monday morning turned terrifying along the ever-busy Otedola Bridge corridor after a violent road crash left four pedestrians severely injured and an 8-month-old baby miraculously rescued by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

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The accident, which occurred around the notorious bend close to the Berger inward–Otedola axis, sent shockwaves through commuters and pedestrians who witnessed the chilling moment a vehicle lost control and ploughed into unsuspecting road users.

According to eyewitnesses, the scene unfolded “within seconds,” leaving pedestrians scrambling for safety.

Preliminary reports indicate that the driver of a Toyota Corolla lost control while descending the slope of Otedola Bridge, a stretch known for speed violations and brake failures.

The vehicle allegedly veered off its lane, skidded across the shoulder, and rammed into pedestrians walking along the side of the road.

One of the victims, a young mother, was knocked to the ground while clutching her 8-month-old baby. The child was thrown a short distance away, prompting immediate panic as onlookers screamed for help.

Drivers slammed their brakes, bystanders ran in different directions, and confusion overwhelmed the corridor.

Within minutes, LASTMA rescue personnel, already stationed along the highway due to the corridor’s high-risk status, stormed the scene.

Eyewitnesses say the LASTMA patrol team’s intervention prevented the tragic death of the baby.

“We ran towards the scene because the baby was lying face-down beside the curb,” a witness recounted.
“LASTMA officers acted immediately. If they didn’t pick that child on time, a speeding truck would have crushed the baby.”

LASTMA officials confirmed that the infant, though visibly shaken and crying uncontrollably, sustained only minor injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

The mother, however, suffered multiple bruises and a suspected hip fracture.

According to LASTMA’s Public Affairs Department, four other pedestrians sustained severe injuries when the vehicle hit them at high speed.

The victims reportedly suffered:

• Deep lacerations
• Fractured limbs
• Head injuries
• Internal trauma (suspected)

Medical personnel from the Lagos Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and a private ambulance service provided first aid before conveying the victims to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for emergency treatment.

Police have since taken the driver of the Toyota Corolla into custody for questioning, pending toxicology and mechanical inspection reports.

The Otedola corridor has a long-standing history of road tragedies:

• The 2018 fuel tanker explosion that killed multiple commuters.
• Frequent brake-failure truck crashes.
• High pedestrian activity due to nearby settlements and bus stops.
• Declining road discipline during rush hour.

Each year, the corridor records dozens of avoidable accidents.

Safety experts warn that steep descents, speeding, and poorly maintained vehicles constantly put commuters at risk.

RoadKing Analysis: Why the Crash Was Preventable

From a road-safety perspective, the Otedola crash highlights four critical failures:

1. Overspeeding on Slopes: 

Most drivers descend Otedola at speeds far beyond safe limits, especially when traffic opens up suddenly.

2. Poor Vehicle Maintenance

Mechanical failures including brake problems are recurrent along this stretch.

3. Lack of Physical Barriers

The absence of protective pedestrian railings exposes walkers to direct vehicle impact.

4. High Pedestrian Footprint

People cross or walk along the shoulder due to inadequate walkways or bridges.

Until these issues are addressed, tragedies will continue.

In a preliminary statement, LASTMA officials confirmed:

“Our men rescued an 8-month-old baby and provided immediate support to four severely injured pedestrians. The driver lost control due to suspected mechanical failure. Full investigations are ongoing.”

Officials also urged Lagosians to avoid walking too close to high-speed corridors and to use pedestrian bridges wherever available.

“It could have been worse.”

— Roadside vendor

“The baby surviving is a miracle.”

— Motorist who stopped to help

“Government needs to install barriers along this stretch. Too many people have died here.”

— Commercial bus driver

RoadKing Safety Advisory for Otedola Corridor Users

For Drivers

• Reduce speed when descending slopes.
• Maintain brakes, tyres, and steering components regularly.
• Keep safe distance from vehicles ahead.
• Avoid overtaking on slopes.

For Pedestrians

• NEVER walk on the bridge shoulder.
• Use pedestrian bridges and sidewalks.
• Stay alert, avoid using headphones or phones while walking near fast-moving traffic.
• Hold children tightly at all times.

The survival of the 8-month-old infant has been described as “nothing short of divine intervention,” but the severe injuries suffered by other pedestrians expose a deeper problem, Lagos’ dangerous walking environment.

RoadKing.ng emphasizes again:

Until pedestrian protection and vehicle safety improve, Nigeria’s highways will continue to injure the innocent.