UPDATE: Tanker fire worsens Lagos-Ibadan expressway gridlock

A petrol-laden tanker on Sunday exploded after it collided with a Sport Utility Vehicle on the Long Bridge axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident happened at about 4.30 pm.

Our correspondent who visited the scene of the incident saw a team of emergency responders including policemen, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency and the State Fire and Safety Service at work.

The incident also caused traffic gridlock along the axis as some vehicles resorted to driving against traffic to avoid the fire.

An eyewitness who identified himself simply as Omogbolan said, “The driver of the SUV was on top speed as he was trying to overtake some vehicles. Immediately he successfully drove past about three vehicles, he tried to swerve back to the left but the tanker was already on the lane and that was how the vehicle ran into it.”

No casualty was recorded in the accident.

The tanker driver who gave his name only as Hamid accused the SUV driver of being responsible for the accident.

He said, “I was on the fast lane close to the kerb when the driver was trying to overtake. After overtaking some vehicles, he ran into my tyre. It was in the process that I lost control and thereafter climbed the kerb. That was how the tanker fell on its side and went up in flames.

“He has told the police that he had a tyre burst and that was how he collided with me. I am waiting for the tanker’s owner.”

The Ogun State Sector Commander, FRSC, Ahmed Umar, said the accident was caused by a tyre burst.

He said, “The SUV had a tyre burst, lost control and swerved towards the tanker which led to the incident. The two adults and two children who were in the vehicle were rescued by our officials who were patrolling the corridor.”

The unit commandant of TRACE covering the OPIC and MFM axis, Ojo Oloye, said the fire could not be put out immediately due to the fuel still in the tanker.

“Firemen have tried to put out the fire. They ran out of water and have gone to replenish. Our men are also trying to control the traffic alongside the police and FRSC officials,” he said.