A Sienna space bus with registration number APP 830 HX heading to Lagos from Benin on Saturday morning at about 11:55am plunged into Omo River at J4 along the Ijebu-Ode-Ore Expressway killing three people while local divers were able to rescue one passenger.
The spokesperson for Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Roads Safety Corps, Florence Okpe, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists on Saturday.
She said, “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.
Giving an update on the incident on Saturday evening, Okpe said more local divers had been recruited from neighbouring communities to help with the rescue operations
She said, “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”.
Okpe later added that the Toyota Sienna with registration number APP 830 HX heading to Lagos from Benin before the unfortunate accident had been retrieved from the river while three bodies were also recovered by the local divers.
She told our correspondent that 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.
She 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.
