At Least 7 Die, Mostly Women And Children, As Bus Plunges into River in Bayelsa

At least 7 passengers died in a horrible road accident along Okosu River in the Sampou community of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The accident occurred on Saturday and caused a traffic jam on East-West Road.
An eyewitness, Mr. Emmanuel Eziya, told the jouirnalists that the 18-seater bus was going to Yenagoa from a traditional marriage at Oginigbo in Ughelli South local Government Area of Delta State.

According to him, the bus somersaulted, veered off the road and plunged into the river when it allegedly attempted to overtake a vehicle.

“Thought the river is shallow, only those who knew how to swim could be rescued,” he added.

He says the driver died alongside his passengers.
But a nursing mother was said to have survived as she was able to swim out of the river. However, she lost
her child in the crash.
The other passengers of the bus were mostly women and children.
According to the information available, about 8 people are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Bayelsa.
Efforts to reach the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in the state, Mr. Vincent Jack, failed.

However, Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hilarry Opara, confirmed the accident.

“I can tell you that seven persons died on the spot. Others are receiving treatment in the hospital,” Opara said.