Dare Babalola
The Oyo State Fire Services Agency has confirmed the death of three passengers who plunged into the Ariyo River along Amuloko Road in Ibadan, the state capital.
In a statement he signed and made available to journalists on Thursday in Ibadan, the Chairman of the agency, Maroof Akinwande, also disclosed that five other persons were rescued alive after the passenger bus plunged into the river.
According to the fire service boss, personnel of the agency were immediately deployed to the scene of the incident after receiving a distress call on Wednesday through one Mrs Fadeke Yusuf.
“Upon arrival, we met a Suzuki bus with registration number LEW 484 XA (Osun) carrying eight passengers, which lost control and crashed into the river.
“Five persons were rescued alive and conveyed to Ona-Ara Private Hospital in the Jegede area, while three bodies were recovered and handed over to a team of policemen from the Ogbere Divisional Headquarters led by ASP Aishat Ibrahim,” he said.
He attributed the cause of the accident to reckless driving and advised motorists to always drive carefully and observe road safety rules to avoid unnecessary accidents.
Akinwande also appreciated the support of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency, Ona Ara Division, and the Chairman of Ona Ara Local Government, Glorious Temitope, during the rescue operation.
Meanwhile, a viral video sighted by Newstellers showed some residents trying to drag the white bus out of the river.
The residents, comprising of men, tied a long rope around the bus and dragged it out in an attempt to rescue the passengers.
