The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), over the weekend, once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to the preservation of human lives on Lagos roads following the dramatic rescue of a critically injured victim of a hit-and-run crash, who was found in a severely compromised condition and in dire need of immediate medical intervention.
The incident reportedly occurred in the main carriageway around Ketu inward Ojota when an unidentified motorist struck the victim and inexplicably fled the scene, leaving the severely injured individual helpless and unattended. Upon arrival at the scene, LASTMA officers immediately sprang into action, securing the accident location, regulating traffic and taking measures to prevent further danger to the victim and other road users.
The victim was found lying in a pool of blood, having sustained multiple traumatic injuries, including severe fractures and a serious head injury. Although he remained alive and was still breathing when LASTMA officers arrived, his condition was visibly critical and necessitated urgent, specialised medical attention.
In keeping with its humanitarian and emergency-response responsibilities, the LASTMA officers promptly alerted the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), whose medical personnel subsequently arrived at the scene to assess the victim and determine the appropriate course of emergency intervention.
The attending medical personnel, upon assessment, reportedly expressed grave concern over the severity and complexity of the victimās injuries, particularly the multiple fractures and serious head trauma, which required a medical facility with the requisite capacity and specialised resources for comprehensive trauma management.
Undeterred by the distressing circumstances, LASTMA officers remained resolutely at the scene and continued to safeguard the victim while further emergency-response options were being explored. Their intervention once again underscores the Agencyās evolving role beyond conventional traffic management to include prompt rescue operations, emergency response and the preservation of human life at road-crash scenes.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, strongly condemned the alleged abandonment of the victim by the unidentified motorist, describing the act as reprehensible, irresponsible and fundamentally antithetical to the obligations imposed on every responsible road user.
Bakare-Oki emphasised that any motorist involved in a road crash has a moral and legal obligation to stop, assess the situation, summon emergency responders and where practicable, render reasonable assistance to persons who may have sustained injuries.
āThe decision by a motorist to flee the scene of a crash, particularly where another person has sustained life-threatening injuries, is deeply reprehensible and could have devastating consequences. In emergencies of this nature, every second is consequential. While our officers remain committed to responding swiftly to road crashes and other emergencies, members of the public must also demonstrate a corresponding sense of responsibility by promptly alerting the appropriate emergency agencies and cooperating with responders,ā Bakare-Oki stated.
The General Manager commended the LASTMA personnel for their courage, professionalism and steadfastness in responding to the incident despite the distressing nature of the scene. He reiterated that the Agencyās rescue and emergency-response mandate is fundamentally anchored on the protection of lives and the mitigation of the consequences of road traffic crashes.
He further appealed to eyewitnesses, motorists and members of the public who may possess credible information capable of aiding the identification and apprehension of the fleeing motorist to promptly make such information available to the appropriate law-enforcement authorities.
LASTMA consequently admonished motorists to exercise the highest degree of caution, discipline and responsibility while navigating Lagos roads, particularly by avoiding excessive speed, reckless driving and other behaviours capable of endangering the lives of fellow road users.
The Agency also urged members of the public to cultivate a stronger culture of emergency consciousness by dialling LASTMA Toll-free hotline 3367 or promptly contacting relevant emergency-response agencies whenever road crashes occur, stressing that the preservation of human life must invariably supersede every other consideration at the scene of a traffic incident.
Adebayo Taofiq
Director, Public Affairs & Enlightenment Department of LASTMA.
