How brake failure caused diesel tanker accident in Lagos – Fire service

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS) has disclosed that brake failure caused the tanker accident recorded on Monday along the Apapa–Oshodi Motorway in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agency averted a major disaster following the accident, which occurred at Liverpool Bridge, Tin Can Island, in the Apapa area of the state.

Confirming the incident in a statement to newsmen on Monday evening, the Controller General of the agency, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, said the tanker lost control and skidded off the bridgeway.

According to her, the agency received a distress call at about 8:05 a.m. concerning a salvage operation involving a Mack trailer tanker with registration number RBC 98 XK, fully laden with 45,000 litres of diesel.

“The tanker lost control while in motion, skidded off the bridgeway and was left hanging precariously on the bridge rail,” Adeseye said.

She explained that the incident resulted in a partial spillage of diesel on the bridge, beneath the structure, and into an adjoining drainage channel, raising concerns about a possible fire outbreak or environmental hazard.

“Firefighting crews from the Ajegunle and Sari Iganmu Fire Stations were immediately deployed to the scene,” she said, adding that responders secured the tanker and successfully prevented it from falling, thereby averting any secondary incident.

“The situation was swiftly brought under control, with all imminent danger completely averted. As part of the emergency response, the remaining diesel in the tanker was safely transloaded, while the area was secured to prevent interference by fuel scoopers,” Adeseye said, noting that the tanker was later evacuated and urging motorists, especially operators of heavy-duty vehicles, to ensure regular vehicle maintenance to prevent avoidable accidents. (NAN)