A mother and her child have died after two container-laden trucks overturned at Mile 2, near Freeman Market, along the route towards Apapa in Lagos.

The victims were trapped beneath the trucks and their containers in the accident, which occurred over the weekend, resulting in fatal injuries.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said its rescue and recovery team responded to the scene to evacuate the victims and clear the wreckage.

The affected section of the road was temporarily cordoned off, while motorists were diverted through an adjoining service lane to reduce congestion and prevent further accidents during the operation.

A crane and a heavy-duty tow vehicle were deployed to remove the overturned trucks and their containers. Police officers also secured the scene while recovery operations were carried out.

The remains of the deceased were subsequently taken to the police mortuary in Yaba for necessary procedures.

LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed sadness over the deaths and called for a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.

He said investigators should determine whether mechanical defects, overloading, improper distribution of cargo, driver negligence or other factors contributed to the accident.

Bakare-Oki also urged operators of articulated trucks to ensure their vehicles were roadworthy, secure their loads properly and comply with established road safety regulations.

The incident comes weeks after another multiple-vehicle crash at First Gate, inward Mile 2, along the Mile 2-Seme Expressway, left four people critically injured.

The earlier accident, which occurred on October 6, involved two Mack trucks, one carrying a 20-foot container, a commercial bus and nine motorcycles.

LASTMA said preliminary findings suggested that one of the trucks might have suffered brake failure, causing its driver to lose control and collide with other vehicles.

The four injured victims, comprising three men and a woman, reportedly sustained multiple fractures to their arms and legs and were taken to hospital for treatment.

Authorities have called for investigations into the latest fatal crash to establish its cause and determine whether any safety violations contributed to the deaths.