A passenger critically injured in Friday’s crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has died while receiving treatment at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State.
Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) confirmed the death in an update issued on Saturday following a post-crash visit to the hospital.
According to the report by TRACE Unit Commander, Saapade, Cmdr Oridota P.O., hospital management informed the agency during the visit that the passenger had died.
The update was shared with journalists by TRACE spokesperson, Akinbiyi Babatunde.
The deceased was the only passenger from the crash who had been classified as being in critical condition and taken to OOUTH. TRACE did not disclose the victim’s name, age or sex.
“In the course of embarking on a post-crash visit to OOUTH Sagamu this morning, it was announced by the hospital management that the only passenger in critical condition that was taken to OOUTH has passed on,” the agency said.
The death is the only fatality yet recorded from the crash, after TRACE initially reported that 13 people were injured and that there were no deaths.
The accident involved a Mazda bus carrying 18 occupants.
TRACE said the vehicle was travelling along the Lagos-bound section of the expressway when a tyre burst caused it to overturn and hit a concrete barrier.
Those injured were identified as two men, eight women and three children.
TRACE said the victims were evacuated to three medical facilities for treatment.
One victim was taken to OOUTH in Sagamu, nine were conveyed to Divine Hospital, Ogere, while three were taken to Isara General Hospital.
The crash also generated controversy over the response of emergency agencies at the scene.
Nollywood actor Kunle Afod had raised concerns about the alleged absence of emergency responders after arriving at the scene of the accident.
In a video posted on his Instagram page on Friday, Afod said he spent about 20 minutes at the scene without seeing an ambulance or emergency personnel.
He subsequently appealed to the Ogun State Government, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other emergency agencies to intervene and assist the victims.
However, the Ogun State Government disputed the actor’s account in a statement issued on Saturday, saying emergency responders arrived shortly after the crash was reported.
According to the government, a passerby reported the accident at the FRSC point in Ogere at 12:18pm, while an ambulance and FRSC personnel arrived at the scene at 12:28pm.
It added that victims were taken to Victory Hospital, Ogere, while those requiring more advanced medical attention were transferred to OOUTH, Sagamu.
The government also accused Afod of politicising the incident, a claim that formed part of its response to his criticism of the emergency response.
