Mother, son escape death as Lexus SUV overturns three times in Lagos

A mother and her son narrowly escaped death on Wednesday morning after their Lexus sport utility vehicle overturned three times at the NYSC Bus Stop along the LASU–Isheri Expressway in Lagos.

The lone crash occurred during peak-hour traffic along the busy corridor serving the Lagos State University axis.

The Lexus Jeep (KJA 39 JT) travelling from Isheri inward Igando, abruptly lost vehicular stability, causing the automobile to overturn thrice before finally coming to rest amid the heavy vehicular movement characteristic of peak-hour traffic along the corridor.

LASTMA operatives deployed within the axis rapidly mobilised to the location and executed a coordinated rescue intervention. The occupants, a mother and her son were successfully extricated from the severely damaged vehicle with visible bruises and mild physiological trauma, narrowly averting what could have resulted in a fatal catastrophe.

The Nigeria Police Force from Igando Division was also present to control the crowd and secure the scene during the rescue operation.

To prevent secondary accidents and ease traffic congestion along the ever-busy expressway, LASTMA officers coordinated the removal of the damaged vehicle with support from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA). The vehicle was subsequently handed over to the police for investigation.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed relief that no lives were lost in the incident. He wished the victims a speedy recovery and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to prompt emergency response, proactive traffic management, and sustained road safety enforcement.

Bakare-Oki warned motorists to avoid overspeeding, and to check their vehicles regularly, especially important safety parts like brakes before travelling. He said overspeeding, and poor vehicle maintenance often lead to serious accidents on major roads.

“Excessive speed when compounded by mechanical deficiencies constitutes a dangerous precursor to severe roadway tragedies on major expressways,” Bakare-Oki said.

The accident adds to the growing list of road crashes on Lagos expressways, with authorities continuing to urge motorists to exercise caution and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on journeys.