A dispatch rider was crushed to death by a moving train in Ikeja, Lagos State, on Thursday while attempting to hastily cross the PWD Railway Level Crossing to access the GRA axis.
The incident was confirmed in a statement issued by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and signed by its General Manager, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki.
According to the statement, the deceased, who was riding a motorcycle with registration number AGL 179 QR, ignored traffic warnings and tried to beat the train at the crossing.
“Preliminary investigations conducted by security personnel at the scene revealed that the dispatch rider, reportedly travelling at excessive speed, attempted to hastily manoeuvre across the railway track in a bid to access the GRA axis of Ikeja.
In the process, he collided with an oncoming train. The impact proved fatal, as the rider died instantly, while the train continued its movement along the track,” Bakare-Oki stated.
LASTMA, Police, and SEHMU Respond Promptly
Bakare-Oki said LASTMA officers, who were the first responders, quickly cordoned off the accident scene to prevent secondary crashes and to ensure smooth traffic flow within the area.
He added that personnel from the Shogunle Police Division provided support, while the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) evacuated the remains of the deceased for appropriate action.
Caution to Dispatch Riders and Motorists
The LASTMA boss expressed sympathy to the bereaved family, describing the accident as “a distressing reminder of the consequences of impatience and disregard for traffic safety rules, particularly at railway level crossings.”
He urged dispatch riders and other road users to exercise utmost caution, patience, and discipline while on the road, especially near railway intersections.
Bakare-Oki stressed the importance of strict compliance with traffic signals and government-installed warning signs to prevent avoidable road tragedies.
“LASTMA remains committed to continuous public enlightenment, proactive enforcement, and safety advocacy to ensure sanity, discipline, and orderliness across Lagos metropolis,” he said.
