No fewer than 15 commuters are lying critically ill in the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH) Oghara after a Coaster bus travelling along the Old Sapele Road rammed into a stationary fuel truck in the community.

News Express gathered that the incident occurred around the Mosogar/Jesse Market in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.

The coastal bus was conveying the passengers, who were believed to be members of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Sapele, from Benin City, Edo State Capital, where they had a church crusade at the weekend.

A source, who preferred anonymity, said the driver lost control as he attempted to meander past the road, which was almost blocked by traders. In a bid to avoid ramming into the garri marketers, the driver swerved into the right hand side of the road, thereby running into a petrol laden truck parked by the road side.

The source further disclosed that some good Samaritans quickly offered first aid services to the victims, whose conditions defied all efforts. They were all taken to the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, where they are now receiving treatment.

Effort to reach the Chief Medical Director of DELSUTH, Dr. Leslie Esimaje Akpriaye, was not successful as at the time of filing this report. However, a source in the hospital confirmed the incident to correspondent.

“We have received about 15 victims of the accident and, they include women, men and children. Most of them are in critical conditions but they are responding to treatment. One of them who was able to speak with us said they were members of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Sapele and that they were returning from a crusade in Benin City, Edo State,” the source said.