Tragedy struck on Friday as an 18-seater bus carrying passengers to the Bayelsa Deputy Governor’s burial was involved in a crash along the Toru-Orua axis of the Sagbama/Ekeremor Road.

Accounts by witnesses to the fatality indicate that many people lost their lives, while several others were taken to the hospital for treatment.

However, Prof Seiyefs Brisibe, Bayelsa Commissioner for Health, who confirmed the development in a telephone chat with this correspondent, said two of the accident victims died on the spot.

He dismissed the rumours that more than 10 people died in the incident.

“Our State Ambulance Services promptly responded and evacuated the victims to hospitals. Seven were taken to Sagbama General Hospital While 10 were taken to the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital at Okolobiri.

“Two padded on at the accident scene while the rest are in stable conditions as we speak. The speculation that more than 10 died is false.

“The deployment of our fleet of ambulances helped to bring prompt medical help to the victims,” he said.

Meanwhile the burial ceremony for the departed deputy governor Dr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo at Ofoni in Sagbama Local Government Area is underway.

Ewhrudjakpo, aged 60 slumped and died on Dec 11 while performing his duties at the Government House, Yenagoa