Some of the victims of the train accident between Shogunle and Ikeja have blamed the bus driver for the incident.
According to them, the driver ignored their caution when they told him not to cross the rail line.
The victims, who suffered various degrees of injuries, spoke at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja where they were receiving treatment.
Kazeem Abiola, who had a cast around his neck, told The Nation that he sat near the entry door.
Abiola said he and a few others saw the train coming while they were still on the Agege Motor Road.
The driver, he said, thought he could drive past before the train got to the interchange.
“We warned him to allow the train to leave before crossing but he was adamant. Everybody was shouting, cautioning him but he moved. Half of the body of the bus had crossed the rail track before the train hit us. I knew nothing again until I found myself here (LASUTH Emergency Unit),” he said.
Anuoluwapo Musa, a staff of the Lagos State Emergency Maintenance Agency (LASEMA) told The Nation that the bus coming from Ikotun picked him at Jakande.
Musa said he jumped down from the bus immediately it was hit by the train.
The LASEMA official, who injured his left arm, said: “I was at the back when the incident occurred. I just heard noise from the front rows cautioning the driver. Not quite long, we were hit by the train. I was conscious enough to jump out of the bus while the train was still dragging our bus,” he said.
Another victim said she also jumped out of the bus but landed inside a ditch. She suffered an arm injury.
She was told that she will be transferred to the Orile-Agege General Hospital with three others. Six victims had earlier been taken to the hospital.
Some of those stabilised at the LASUTH were transferred to five general hospitals in the state.
The hospitals include General Hospital, Lagos Island, Gbagada General Hospital and Orile-Agege.
Meanwhile, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has given an update with regards to the unfortunate accident.
According to the governor, 85 passengers were on board the ill-fated bus. He said six deaths have so far been recorded, 2 were brought in dead while 4 others died at the hospital. He stated that 42 moderate injuries were recorded with 29 serious injuries and 8 mild injuries.
He also announced the suspension of his campaigns for three days and declared half-day work tomorrow, Friday, March 10, for Civil Servants. He also directed all Flags to be raised at Half Mast and declared 3 Days of mourning for the state.
The governor stated that the preliminary investigation shows the accident was caused by the bus driver’s error. He said the driver survived the accident and is now in Police custody.
He added that occupants of the bus were mostly Civil Servants and dependents.
