Train Accident: Switching from bus seat to another seat saved my life – Survivor

One of the survivors of the Lagos train/BRT bus accident has revealed how he got saved.

She said she switched to her favorite seat saved her life.

The state civil servant said, “Where I normally seat on the bus was the point the train rammed into.”

He said, “My survival is a miracle.

“I would have been one of those in the morgue.

“I boarded the bus at Ikotun and sat on the middle row, close to the window, a position that had become my permanent seat.

“But on that fateful day, a friend (names withheld) invited me to come to sit with her on the third row in front.

“She said the person she reserved the seat for called to say she won’t be joining the staff bus.

“That was how I left my permanent seat, which happened to be the exact place the train hit.

“Any time I remember that I would quickly dismiss the thought of death with a shrug.

“This can only be God and I am grateful.”

Another survivor identified simply as Ope said she woke up to hearing people’s voice: ‘e ma lo, e duro’.

Ope said: “The staff bus conveys every staff of the Lagos State government living in the Ikotun/Isolo area, irrespective of the department or agency, as long as the staff is headed for the secretariat.

“I sat on a seat in the first three rows in front and slept off immediately in order to catch some sleep before reaching the office.

“But I was jostled from sleep by shouts of ‘e ma lo, e duro’ (don’t go, wait).

“I woke up to know what happening but before I could raise my head, I heard a loud bang. The impact flung many of us from our seats.

“I hit my head on a hard object and passed out. By the time I opened my eyes, I found myself in an ambulance that brought me to Orile Agege General Hospital.”

The Informant247 earlier reported that about 32 survivors of the Lagos train/BRT bus accident have been discharged from various hospitals in the state.

This was revealed to newsmen by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, on Friday, March 10.

The accident, according to Abayomi recorded 102 casualties, including 6 fatalities.

He also disclosed that all the patients are in improving medical status.

He said Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) discharged 19 survivors of the accident; Toll Gate Trauma Centre discharged 5 and Orile-Agege General Hospital released 8.

He said those in severely critical condition were hospitalized to the LASUTH.

”25 patients with moderate injuries were later referred to five general hospitals in Lagos for further treatment and to decongest LASUTH.

”People donated 256 voluntary units of blood and 40 units were transfused yesterday,” Abayomi said.

He thanked those who donated blood, saying that it would be an asset for the state’s blood bank.

He said the state government would take charge of the medical bills of all patients hospitalized as a result of the accident.

He appreciated the workers of LASUTH and others for their quick interventions.

The train collided with BRT bus carrying passengers in Ikeja, Lagos State, leading to the death of many people and injury of several others.

This occurred on Thursday, March 8, 2023 at Adekunle Fajuyi way in Ikeja.

A number of casualties was recorded as a result of the collision as the BRT was moved from the Ikeja Along area to Shogunle.

The train which was coming from Agege collided with BRT with state civil servants on board, while it was trying to cross the rail linking Ikeja GRA.

Those who witnessed the scenario said the driver refused to stop at the level crossing when told.

An eyewitness identified as Babs said the keepers of the NRC at the level crossing told the driver not to proceed because of the incoming train but he didn’t obey the directive.

Babs added that the driver of the BRT thought he could cross the rail line before the incoming train reaches it.

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has visited the civil servants who sustained various degrees of injury in the train/BRT bus accident which occurred Thursday March 9.

“I am deeply saddened by the news of the accident. The vehicle was conveying staff of the Lagos state government, our staff who serve the state in different capacities,” the governor said.

“Let’s say a prayer for the families and a prayer of mercy and protection for our state. My thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.”