A yet-to-be-identified herder died following a crash involving a Mercedes-Benz car and a herd of cattle at Evekwu in Rumuodogu, along the East-West Road in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Eyewitnesses said the cattle were crossing the road when the speeding vehicle struck the herders and the animals, resulting in the death of about 11 cows on Thursday.

“The occupants of the vehicle, said to be travelling in a convoy, abandoned the damaged vehicle, joined another vehicle in the convoy and fled the scene,” a source said.

Our correspondent reports that police officers from the Emohua Division responded to the incident and evacuated the body of the deceased to the morgue, while the injured victim was taken for medical attention.

A video seen by our correspondent showed several of the dead cows in the bush, while some men were seated beside one of the cattle in a nearby bush.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Blessing Agabe, confirmed the incident on Friday, saying investigations were ongoing.

Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, stated, “Yes, I can confirm the incident. One of them died. The other was injured and was rushed to the hospital. He is now stable.

“However, before our men got to the scene, the owner of the Mercedes-Benz ran away.

“The corpse of the victim was taken away by his people, but the injured cattle rearer is responding to treatment in the hospital. Investigation is ongoing.” (PUNCH)

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