A passenger bus accident turned fatal on Wednesday when a vehicle carrying eight people lost control and plunged into the Ariyo River along Amuloko Road in Ibadan. While five passengers were rescued alive, three others were confirmed dead, officials said.

Mr Moroof Akinwande, Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, confirmed that the rescue team acted swiftly after receiving a distress call from Mrs Fadeke Yusuf. “Our personnel were immediately deployed to the scene upon notification,” he said.

The agency’s team found a Suzuki bus (OSUN) LEW 484 XA partially submerged in the river. “Five persons were rescued and taken to Ona-Ara Private Hospital in Jegede, while three lifeless bodies were handed over to a police team from Ogbere Divisional Headquarters led by ASP Aishat Ibrahim,” Akinwande stated.

Investigations suggest that reckless driving caused the accident. “Motorists must always drive carefully and observe road safety rules to avoid unnecessary accidents,” the fire service chief advised.

Support from the Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency (OYRTMA) and the Chairman of Ona-Ara Local Government, Glorious Temitope, was pivotal during the rescue. Their quick coordination helped ensure that survivors received prompt medical attention.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, noting how the bus veered off course before plunging into the river. Community members have called for stricter road safety enforcement, particularly along dangerous stretches like Amuloko Road.

The incident is a grim reminder of the consequences of careless driving. Authorities are urging drivers across Oyo State to exercise caution, while emergency services continue strengthening rapid response measures to prevent similar tragedies. (The Sun)