Five rescued, three dead as bus plunges into river in Ibadan

No fewer than five persons were rescued alive while three lifeless bodies were recovered 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, Mr. Moroof Akinwande, in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday.

According to Akinwande, the agency received a distress call on Wednesday from Mrs. Fadeke Yusuf and immediately dispatched personnel to the scene.

“Upon arrival, we found a Suzuki bus (OSUN) LEW 484 XA with eight passengers that had lost control and crashed into the river. Five persons were rescued alive and taken to Ona–Ara Private Hospital, Jegede area, while three deceased bodies were recovered and handed over to police officers from Ogbere Divisional Headquarters led by ASP Aishat Ibrahim,” he said.

The agency chairman attributed the accident to reckless driving, urging motorists to exercise caution and adhere to road safety guidelines to prevent such tragedies.

Akinwande also expressed appreciation for the support of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency (OYRTMA) Ona Ara Division and Glorious Temitope, Chairman of Ona Ara Local Government, during the rescue operation.