POLICEMAN DIES IN THIRD-MAINLAND- BRIDGE OKADA CRASH

A riot policeman on a motorcycle was burnt to death on Tuesday at the UNILAG waterfront end of the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos State.

It was learnt that his colleague, who was in critical condition, suffered burns injuries and had been rushed to a medical facility by rescue officials attached to the Lagos State Ambulance Service.

Our correspondent was told by some officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority that the two men were riding the motorcycle marked, Lagos APP 738 QC, towards the Oworonshoki area of the state, when the incident happened.

The motorcycle was said to have a lone crash and tumbled on the men.

As the policemen were still smarting from the pain of the fall, the fuel in the bike reportedly spilled on the exhaust pipe, which ignited fire and resulted in an explosion.

The policemen were said to be carrying tear gas canisters and some other inflammable materials, which were said to have worsened the incident.

While one of the officers was burnt beyond recognition, the other was rescued by the LASTMA and LASAMBUS officials.

When our correspondent arrived at the scene of the crash, he saw the burnt remains of the motorcycle.

An eyewitness, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said LASAMBUS took the survivor to a hospital around 7am.

He said, “Two mobile policemen had a lone accident this morning while riding a motocycle towards the Oworonshoki area. They had an accident and fell off the bike. When they did, the fuel of the machine poured on the silencer, and that was how it went up in flames.

“Meanwhile, they were also carrying perfumes, tear gas and that worsened the situation. It was LASAMBUS that came for the survivor, while policemen from the Adekunle division came to take the dead policeman away.”

Our correspondent was told that the accident created a gridlock on the road as the rescue agencies cleared the bridge of the debris.

Another official of the agency said the casualties were policemen.

He said, “The machine was a complete write-off. It will take a miracle for the second policeman to survive from what I saw. They also had fuel in a keg.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the incident, but said he could not confirm if the deceased was a police officer.

He said, “The incident happened and the rescued policeman is receiving treatment. He is not dead. The other man, nobody can tell his identity because he was burnt beyond recognition.”

culled from 'PUNCH'