Six Bodies Recovered As Vehicles Plunge Into Imo River

Six bodies were yesterday recovered from a river in Ulakwo, Owerri North local council of Imo State following search operations that ensued after two vehicles had a head on collision by its side last Friday night.

This was as no fewer than four people were confirmed dead while many others were injured when a white 18-seater Hummer Toyota bus with registration number JJJ 941 XA (Lagos) summersaulted along Ibadan/Oyo Expressway, yesterday.

According to village sources, the search for more bodies in the river was still in progress as at press time.

The source told The Guardian that one of the victims, who hailed from Ideato, Imo State, was traveling with his apprentice in his private car.

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According to the Atiba Unit Commander of Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), DCC Bayode Olugbesan, the accident along Ibadan/Oyo Expressway was caused by over speeding and overloading.

Olugbesan said that 20 people were involved in the accident but only four were confirmed dead by a doctor when they were taken to the State Hospital, Oyo.

He further noted that the bodies of the four people who died in the accident had been taken to the mortuary.

“All the victims are male and their destination is North. The cause of the crash was over speeding and overloading. The bus is supposed to carry 14 passengers but was loaded with 20 passengers,” he said.

He appealed to road users to be careful while driving. He also advised drivers to avoid over speeding, overloading and night travelling.

GUARDIAN NIGERIA