The 29 passengers on a board a commercial bus that plunged into a canal in
front of the National Theatre complex, Iganmu, Lagos, on Monday. were all
rescued unhurt, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
NAN learnt that the vehicle, with registration number MISA 68 XH, suddenly
developed technical problem and plunged into the canal opposite National
Theatre entrance.
The driver of the bus, Mr Augustine Okorie, who spoke to NAN, described the
survival of the passengers as a “miracle’’.
“I was bringing in 29 passengers from Shinbiri area in Okokomaiko along the
Badagry Expressway and on getting to the front of the National Art Theatre, I
lost control and the vehicle plunged into the canal.
“As I was about to change the gear and could not do that immediately, the
vehicle started to swerve uncontrollably and before you know what was
happening, we found ourselves inside the canal.
“In spite of the situation, I was so worried about my conductor who was
hanging by the door, but we thank God none of us sustained injury,” Okorie
said.
An official of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who refused to be
identified, told NAN at the scene of the accident that they quickly alerted other
emergency and traffic management agencies who assisted in the quick rescue
of occupant of the vehicle.
NAN, however, reports that the vehicle was brought out of the canal 30
minutes later by officials of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency
(LASEMA)
