Search and rescue operations are ongoing on the Third Mainland Bridge after two persons plunged into the Lagos lagoon following an accident involving a commercial vehicle.

The accident occurred around 11 a.m. on Wednesday when the brake of the vehicle failed.

A photo from the scene of the accident

Emergency management officials said marine police are leading the search operation for two adults involved in the accident.

Other passengers have been taken to the General Hospital, Lagos Island.

Road safety officials were on the scene of the accident to ensure free-flowing of traffic

The Director of Operations, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Olatunde Akinsanya, who spoke to journalists after the incident, said: “Today at 10 minutes after 11, we had a road accident very close to Adeniji Bypass.

“An LT commercial bus with 22 passengers had a break failure and it was on a high speed. On the process he ran himself to the barrier on the Third Mainland Bridge and of course two adults were plunged into the lagoon.

“So, the next phase of the operation is that haven recovered the wreckage and the victims taken to the nearby hospital for treatment, the next action the search rescue operations on the waterway and that is what we are collaborating with marine police, NEMA and others.”

The crash which happened on the day Muslims are marking the Eid-El-Fitr and also a work-free day, saw other road users gather around the accident scene to render help to the victims.

Rescue officials, security agents as well as traffic management officers were also on the scene for rescue operations.

The Federal Government reopened the third mainland bridge on the 4th of April, setting the speed limit at 80 km/hr following extensive repairs over a period of five months.