- 79 victims saved by Lagos medical personnel, says Sanwo-Olu
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sympathy over the accident involving a train and Lagos State BRT staff bus on Thursday in Shogunle area of Ikeja.
In a reaction to the incident, President Buhari said: “The accident at the level crossing involving the train and the BRT staff bus is distressing and extremely sad. I pray for the souls of the deceased and quick recovery of the many who were injured.”
The President commended the Lagos State authorities and Federal Government agencies for promptly getting involved in relief work.
Meanwhile, the capacity of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to handle emergencies, accidents, and health challenges was displayed on Thursday as the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja responded promptly in saving the lives of victims of the train accident in the state.
It would be recalled that Lagos State Government Staff Bus with Number 33, carrying civil servants and their dependants from Isolo to Alausa had a head-on collision with a commercial train at PWD Bus-Stop, along Agege Motor Road, in the state.
The accident occurred at 7:30 am when the Lagos State Government staff bus was about to cross the rail track and during the process, it collided with a commercial train at the location. Many of the civil servants and their dependants on the bus sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The victims of the train accident were rushed to LASUTH and they were promptly attended to by the medical personnel who created a triage, emergency tents within the hospital to attend urgently to those involved in the accident.
The prompt attention and urgent intervention of LASUTH staff who were joined by the students and staff of the College of Medicine of Lagos State University, 79 people out of 85 passengers on the bus were revived and treated for different injuries to stabilize them. They are currently receiving treatment at LASUTH and other government-owned hospitals in the State.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who arrived LASUTH a few hours after the accident to see the injured staff of the state government, expressed his sadness over the unfortunate incident and sympathized with the victims.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was accompanied by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat; Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola and members of the State Executive Council, visited all the victims of accidents at the emergency tents created by the LUTH and also visited those transferred to different wards for further treatment and surgical operations.
The Governor said the investigation is ongoing on the accident. He disclosed that the driver of the bus is currently in the custody of the Police.
Speaking to journalists shortly after visiting the injured at LASUTH, Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed that 85 people were involved in the accident out of which 42 had moderate injuries, 29 serious injuries and eight with mild injuries.
He said six fatalities were recorded. Two deaths were recorded at the scene of the accident while four people died at ICU and during surgical operations.
The Governor also disclosed that 25 out of the 83 people brought to LASUTH had been treated very quickly and transferred to the Gbagada General Hospital, Agege General House and Toll Gate Trauma Centre, all in Lagos State for further treatments.
Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the LUTH staff and other medical practitioners for their prompt response in saving lives. He also praised the Lagos State Emergency Response Team and all Lagos residents who were involved in a rescue operation at the accident scene.
He said: “What you saw out there is a world class medical system where emergencies of this nature can be handled. The tent was set up to quickly determine what levels of injuries were sustained by the passengers. Some have been sent to surgery and some are in the ICU. Some have gone for an X-ray while some are being treated in the ward for further observation.
“I want to thank the entire staff of LASUTH both medical, and non-medical, and students of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and the College of Medicine of the Lagos State University. I am very impressed with the level of commitment and the level of solidarity that has been displayed throughout this place today for immediately responding to the call of duty and from the report of what I have seen I need to thank them very much.
“I want to thank all of the personnel, especially Lagos State staff who also turned up very quickly to identify with their staff to be able to give them counsel, and encouragement and to be able to say to them that all will be well. They will be treated and will get back safely.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu also encouraged members of the public who want to donate blood to come forth and donate blood to restock the LASUTH blood bank.
The Governor also commended the People’s Democratic Party governorship candidate, Olajide Adediran and the Labour Party candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, for visiting the victims, noting that Lagos has the capacity to tackle emergency.
“I want to thank them and commend them for their show of commitment. Beyond politics, the victims of the accident are human beings and public servants so I want to thank them for coming here. I want to also encourage all other public-spirited Lagosians to join us in these very difficult moments,” Governor Sanwo-Olu said.
