“We begged the bus driver to wait for the train” – survivor narrates

 

We begged the bus driver to wait for the train- survivor narrates

Titilayo, one of the survivors, described the incident involving the BRT bus and passenger train, how she and the other passengers in the bus begged the driver to wait for the train to pass but he refused.

Recall that the accident that happened on Thursday in the Shogunle neighborhood of Ikeja, Lagos, resulted in the verified deaths of seven people and the injuries of additional people.

The bus was carrying employees of the Lagos State government when it was struck by the train as it attempted to cross a nearby rail track.

Titilayo, a middle-aged female staff of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja, who sustained injuries on her lower limbs said, “I boarded the staff bus while going to work this morning (Thursday).

“The incident happened around 7.15am. When we got to the intersection at PWD in Ikeja, the driver continued driving.

“Passengers inside the bus, including myself, begged him to wait for the train to pass before crossing, but he didn’t listen.

“Midway, just before he could finish crossing the rail tracks, the accident happened. Many of us were rushed here, while five others were taken to Gbagada General Hospital.”

Also recounting what he witnessed at the accident scene, Musa Hayatou, a resident of Sogunle, said: “From what I saw, so far, two people died on the spot.

“Many of them were rescued from the ill-fated bus, but some of them were critically injured and it will take the grace of God for them to survive. Some victims who suffered broken bones were rushed to the hospital.

“I don’t know if more people have passed on. Another victim was hit by a large stone. I don’t know whether he was still living or not before he was eventually taken away by officials of Lagos State Emergency Agency, LASEMA.

“I think the fault is from the driver, because before a train gets to a level crossing, it begins to horn from a kilometre away and, if you are a good driver, you should be aware of the loud horn alerting people.

“This is the first time an accident involving a train and a BRT bus happened here. However, we usually have accidents involving BRT buses with other vehicles at the bus stop.”

Meanwhile, reports from hospitals where victims of the crash were rushed, indicate that the death toll has increased to seven.

Two died on the spot while five others, who were among the 71 that sustained varying degrees of injuries, later died at LASUTH.