A passenger has died after jumping from a moving commercial bus that subsequently crashed into a median pole at Ogunlana Junction, inward Ojuelegba, in the Surulere area of Lagos.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) disclosed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday by its Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq.

The accident involved a commercial Volkswagen bus with registration number LND 130 XR, which reportedly careered into a median pole around Ogunlana Junction, near the Fallout area of Surulere.

According to preliminary security reports, the driver was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and had been driving recklessly shortly before the crash.

LASTMA said motorists approaching from behind had to exercise caution to avoid colliding with the erratically driven vehicle.

Amid the ensuing confusion, a male passenger reportedly jumped from the moving bus in an apparent attempt to escape.

He sustained serious injuries after hitting the ground and later died from the injuries.LASTMA personnel on routine traffic surveillance along the Ojuelegba axis quickly responded to the scene.

They secured the area, managed traffic and removed the damaged vehicle and the deceased passenger from the road to prevent further accidents.

Security personnel from the Area C Police Division, Ojuelegba, provided security at the scene, while officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency evacuated the remains of the deceased.

LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, urged motorists to conduct thorough mechanical checks on their vehicles before every journey, particularly the brakes, tyres and steering system.

Bakare-Oki also warned against driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless motoring, while urging members of the public to report traffic incidents, accidents, vehicle breakdowns and road obstructions through LASTMA’s toll-free short code, 3367.