No fewer than five persons were rescued alive while three others were recovered dead after a passenger bus plunged into the Ariyo River along Amuloko Road in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The incident was confirmed by the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Moroof Akinwande, in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday.
Akinwande explained that personnel of the agency received a distress call on Wednesday through a telephone report from Fadeke Yusuf, prompting an immediate emergency response to the scene.
According to him, responders arrived to find a Suzuki passenger bus with registration number LEW 484 XA from Osun State that had lost control before crashing into the river.
“Upon arrival, we met a Suzuki bus (OSUN) LEW 484 XA with eight passengers which lost control and crashed into a river.
“Five persons were rescued alive and conveyed to Ona – Ara private Hospital Jegede area, while three dead bodies were recovered and handed over to a team of policemen from Ogbere Divisional headquarters led by ASP Aishat Ibrahim,” he said.
The agency attributed the accident to reckless driving and urged motorists to always drive responsibly and adhere to road safety guidelines to prevent avoidable accidents.
Akinwande also commended the support provided during the rescue operation by the crew of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency, Ona Ara Division, and the Chairman of Ona Ara Local Government Area, Glorious Temitope.
