Tragedy struck on Monday at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) parish on Hospital Road in Epe, Lagos State, when a truck conveying sharp sand lost control and crashed into the church building instantly killing six worshippers and injuring several others.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that several congregants escaped death by the whiskers as the accident was said to have occurred around 8:30 pm shortly after the church service ended.
Eyewitnesses said the truck veered off the road and tore through the church structure, trapping people who were still on the premises.
Narrating how the accident occurred, one of the residents, Tinu Oduwale, said the vehicle was descending a slope leading to a roundabout when its brakes reportedly failed.
“The driver was screaming for help and blaring the horn to warn people.
“He tried to divert the truck, but it went straight into the church”.
Another eyewitness, Sanjo, said the death toll would have been higher if the truck had arrived minutes earlier.
“Most members had left already. A few stayed behind to pray or pack up. That was when the truck came in. If it had happened mid-service, it would have been catastrophic,” he said.
Operatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and other security agencies raced to the scene, joining residents to dig out victims buried under sand as the overturned vehicle blocked access to the building.
Footage from the scene showed frantic rescue efforts as responders battled to pull worshippers from beneath the wreckage. The truck driver reportedly fled before help arrived.
Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, a superintendent of police, (SP) said six persons were confirmed dead and their remains deposited in the morgue.
According to Adebisi, “The truck has no registration number, and the driver is currently on the run. Investigation into the crash is underway”.