TRAGIC: Three die as Sienna bus plunges into Ogun River

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Three persons have been confirmed dead after a vehicle assumed to have been travelling from Benin to Lagos suspectedly lost control and plunged into the Omo River at J4 along the Ijebu-Ode-Ore Expressway in Ogun State.

This was made known in a statement by the spokesperson for Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Roads Safety Corps, Florence Okpe and issued to journalists on Saturday.

The incident which involved a Sienna space bus with registration number APP 830 HX and a yet-to-be known number of casualties, reportedly occured at about 11:55HRS on Saturday.

Sources said three bodies have been recovered while local divers were able to rescue one passenger.

A statement by the FRSC spokesperson revealed that, “Operatives of FRSC Ogbere Outpost have mobilised to the mentioned location where an eyewitness said a Toyota Sienna plunged into the Omo Bridge river

“Concerted efforts of MTD Ogbere Division, Mobile Police from J4 and FRSC Ogbere Outpost could not establish any skid mark nor trace where the vehicle plunged into the Omo River. A local diver was sourced from J4 Town and one male adult was rescued and taken to Hope Clinic J4 where he’s responding to treatment. Rescue operation still ongoing”, the statement concluded.

Okpe who further gave an update on the incident on Saturday evening, said more local divers had been recruited from neighbouring communities to help with the rescue operations

According to her, “The Corridor Commander 6, Deputy Corps Commander Nasir Z Mohammed, arrived at the crash scene while two divers were sent by The Unit Commander, Ijebu Ode Unit Command, in continuation of rescue/recovery from the Omo River, and additional divers were sourced from Itele. Divers proceeded in deep search for rescue/recovery operations while a private towing truck is on standby”.

She also stated that the vehicle which was involved in the accident had been retrieved from the river while three bodies were also recovered by the local divers.

She said, “probably due to the fact that the river was full to its bank, the divers could not locate any more bodies and that there could be more recovery later, though it was still not certain the number of occupants of the vehicle.”

Adding, Okpe said “The crash occurred at about 1155hrs this morning on Ijebu-Ode-Ore Expressway. Number of people involved uncertain, Number injured, 01, and 03 persons were found dead all male adults. 01 vehicle was involved with registration number APP830HX a Toyota Sienna bus

“The suspected cause of the lone crash was excessive speed which led to loss of control and the vehicle plunged into Omo River. The injured victim was taken to Hope Clinic J4 for medical attention while the corpses were deposited at the state General Hospital morgue Ijebu-Ode

“The Sector Commander FRSC Ogun Sector Command CC Anthony Uga described the crash as an avoidable one if caution was considered, he further reiterated on speed violation among motorists especially the commercial vehicle on that route following the RTC data.

“The Sector Commander appreciated the effort of the local divers for the rescue operation and also sympathise with the family of the victims and advised to contact FRSC Ogbere outpost for more information about the crash”, the statement said.