From a place of both pain and profound gratitude, I write this account to share the harrowing events of that fateful day on Otedola Bridge. Pain because of the loss of an honest and hardworking man, Rotimi Olaleye, and gratitude because my family and I narrowly escaped the disaster that took his life.
Mr. Olaleye, a dedicated mechanic who had been caring for his children since his wife’s passing five years ago, was a man I met just days before his tragic death. I had been introduced to him by Mr. Akinola Ayeni, a trusted car air-conditioning technician.
We spent just a few days together, but Mr. Olaleye made an indelible impact on me, and his meticulous nature and kindness will forever be etched in my memory.
On March 8, 2025, I took my car to Mr. Olaleye to address some minor issues. His attention to detail and honesty left a lasting impression on me.
The following Monday, I brought my wife’s car, a Toyota Highlander, to his workshop for more extensive repairs. Mr. Olaleye worked diligently, ensuring that everything was in top condition before declaring the vehicle ready.
That evening, at around 7:00 PM, I received a call from him, confirming that the work was complete and that he had washed the car. I was eager to head home, and as my wife, Taiwo Oladipo, and our first daughter, Ewaoluwa, joined me, we set off.
Our journey took us through Ogba in Lagos, where we made a quick detour to buy drinking water. Little did we know that this brief delay would ultimately save our lives.
As we continued on our way, we approached Otedola Bridge, where Mr. Olaleye was waiting for us. At that exact moment, we witnessed a tanker truck lose control just seconds before we reached him.
Without warning, the truck crashed, its gas tank exploded, and the sky turned blue as the gas ignited. The fireball that followed was massive, and I found myself desperately trying to navigate my family to safety.
I was still on the phone with Mr. Ayeni, trying to reach Mr. Olaleye to warn him to abandon the car and flee. But by the time we heard his line stop ringing, it was too late.
As we sped away from the inferno, I could not shake the image of the scene behind us. Mr. Olaleye, ever the professional, had been working on my car and ensuring that everything was perfect, even in the face of danger.
In his final moments, he had instructed his apprentices to flee, but he remained behind, trying to protect my car, which was parked near the truck. His car, just behind mine, was also caught in the blast.
Despite the fire and destruction, I am eternally grateful to have escaped unscathed. My family and I were less than 10 seconds away from the explosion, but luck was on our side. However, it was too late for Mr. Olaleye, who tragically lost his life trying to protect the vehicle of a customer he had come to care for.
As I reflect on this harrowing experience, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of loss for Mr. Olaleye. He was a great father, a dedicated worker, and a man of integrity who gave everything for his family and his craft. I will never forget the lessons I learned from him in just a short time.
I was also informed of the deaths of a Zenith Bank staff member and his wife, who were caught in the fire. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims, and I hope their souls, along with Mr. Olaleye’s, rest in peace.
I must also commend the Lagos State Government for their swift response, although it wasn’t enough. The emergency teams arrived late, and by the time they were able to assist, Mr. Olaleye had already passed away.
The accident is a stark reminder of the urgent need for more thorough enforcement of traffic laws, particularly for commercial vehicles and trucks carrying dangerous goods.
To the company that owned the truck, Second Coming Gas Company, while I appreciate their efforts to assist the victims, they could have done more to prevent this tragedy.
The truck had already shown signs of malfunction, and its driver was clearly struggling to control it. This incident highlights the importance of safety checks and accountability for such hazardous vehicles on the road.
In conclusion, I urge the authorities to take stronger action against those who disregard safety regulations, especially when it comes to the handling of inflammable materials.
It is time for Lagos to implement more stringent laws and regulations to ensure the safety of its citizens. As for me, I will never forget Mr. Olaleye’s sacrifice and will cherish the lessons he imparted during the brief but meaningful time we spent together.
