The assistant driver was said to be in a critical condition and was receiving treatment in a hospital in the state.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the driver of the train, which was coming from Kano, lost control after departing the Agege Terminus in Lagos.
The train was said to have sped on till it got to the Iddo Station, where it finally hit an iron hurdle which forcefully detached the driver’s compartment.
A worker at the NRC told PUNCH Metro that the detached part, which included the ticketing section, smashed into the Iddo complex, killing the driver.
Our correspondent, who visited the site of the incident on Monday observed that some passengers were stranded, while security officials locked the gate leading to the train station.
Workers and traders who had businesses within the complex were prevented from going in as the guards maintained that all activities had been grounded.
Insider information revealed the NRC engineers were having difficulty removing the remains of the driver, which were stuck between the engines.
“The man was mangled between the engines, and it’s been hard removing his body,” the source said.
Our correspondent, who had an aerial view of the complex from a bridge, saw a crane picking some segments of the train.
A transporter, who had a shop close to the scene of the accident said the incident happened around 10pm, adding that the casualty figure could have been higher if it was during the day time.
When our correspondent approached a security guard for access to the scene, he said, “Who invited you? Were you asked to come here? We don’t have anything for you, when we need you, we will call you.”
PUNCH Metro learnt from an official of the NRC that the driver may have been drunk as his mouth was said to have reeked of alcohol.
The Assistant Director of the NRC, Mr. David Ndakotsu, said a panel of enquiry has been set up to investigate the actual cause of the accident.
Ndakotsu, who spoke with our correspondent in his office in Railway Compound, Ebute Meta, said, “On Sunday at about 10pm, a passenger train coming from Ilorin lost control on arrival at Iddo Terminus, Lagos State.
“Nigeria Railway Management has instituted a panel of enquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident. One life was lost and normal train services will originate from Ebute Meta junction, Alagomeji and Apapa stations.
“We don’t want to speculate until we aresure of the cause of the accident.”
Source: Punch
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