Bus-Train Crash: ‘Triage’ process saves lives, 32 survivors discharged from Lagos hospitals –Commissioner

*Prof. Akin Abayomi, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, explains the ‘triage’ process is very important in saving lives, and reducing the casualty of the ‘ghastly accident’ involving a staff bus and a moving train Thursday, in Ikeja, the state capital

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

Following the collision of a train and a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) staff bus in the Ikeja area of the state Thursday, March 9, 2023, Prof. Akin Abayomi, Lagos State Honourable Commissioner for Health, has disclosed 32 patients had been discharged from hospitals.

Prof. Abayomi, who stated this at a press conference at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Friday, March 10, in Ikeja, the state capital, said a total of 102 casualties were recorded in the BRT-train accident.

Scene of the accident 

The Commissioner noted the number of fatalities (deaths) still stands at six.

Abayomi said while 19 victims had been discharged from LASUTH, five patients had been discharged from the State Accident and Emergency Centre at Old Toll Gate, and eight from Orile-Agege General Hospital respectively.

According to the Health Commissioner, 256 units of voluntary blood was received Thursday from Lagos State residents, while 40 units of blood had been transferred for the victims today.

He also said: “It is important to note that from about 12 o’clock yesterday till now, we have not lost any other passengers from this accident.

“So, the act of triage was very important in saving lives and reducing the casualty of this ghastly accident.”

Abayomi further explained that “at the same time, there are very few hospitals in the world that can cope with a sudden surge of very critically injured patients.

“So, the triage process also identifies some of the injured passengers that can be transferred to other established general hospitals in Lagos.”

The Commissioner noted 25 of the less severely injured patients to four of general hospitals at Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos Island General Hospital, the Toll Gate Accident and Emergency Centre, and the Orile Agege General Hospital.

“I went to visit them after I left LASUTH, and all of them are stable and doing fine.

“Some of them will indeed be discharged later on today,” stated the Commissioner.