12 feared dead after commuter bus plunged into river in Oyo

Tragedy struck in the South Western city of Oyo when a commuter bus travelling to Ilorin plunged into the Odo-Oba River from Oyo/Ogbomoso Road killing no less than 12 passengers.

According to a source, the incident occurred when the commuter bus was trying to evade a vehicle that strayed into its path which made the driver of the bus lose control of the vehicle he was driving.

“From the report I had, the bus was travelling to Ilorin and as it approached the slope leading to the small bridge over the river, an articulated truck took over the path of the road and in an effort to avoid collision with it, the bus driver veered off the road and plunged into the river.

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“It was difficult pulling the passengers out of the river despite the volunteer rescuers that arrived at the scene early. Twelve people died immediately”, the source said.

Adekunle Ajisebutu, Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, who confirmed the incident also said twelve lives were lost and the bodies of the victims have been deposited at the Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.

“The driver of the Mazda bus lost control of the vehicle and plunged into the Odo-Oba River.

“Nine adults and three kids died on the spot and their bodies have been deposited at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso. There were three survivors including the driver.

“The police with assistance from local drivers helped pull the bodies and passengers out of the river. The vehicle is still in the river.”

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