Three persons have been confirmed dead while five others were rescued after a commercial bus plunged into the Ariyo River along Amunloko Road in Ona-Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday and was confirmed in a statement released on Thursday in Ibadan by the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Fire Services and Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Moroof Akinwande.
According to Akinwande, the agency received a distress call at about 3:38 p.m. from a resident, Fadeke Yusuf, who reported that a vehicle had fallen into the river in the Amunloko area.
He explained that firefighters were immediately mobilised to the scene to commence rescue operations.
Upon arrival, emergency responders discovered that a Suzuki commercial bus with registration number OSUN LEW 484 XA, conveying eight passengers, had lost control before plunging into the Ariyo River.
Akinwande disclosed that five of the occupants were rescued alive and subsequently rushed to Ona-Ara Private Hospital located in the Jegede area for medical treatment.
However, three other passengers were recovered dead from the wreckage during the rescue operation.
He added that the bodies of the deceased were handed over to a police team from the Ogbere Divisional Headquarters led by ASP Aishat Ibrahim.
The fire service boss attributed the crash to reckless driving, warning motorists to exercise caution on the roads.
He further noted that officials of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) from the Ona-Ara Division and the Chairman of Ona-Ara Local Government, Glorious Temitope, were present at the scene during the rescue efforts.
Akinwande urged drivers to obey traffic regulations and prioritise safety to prevent avoidable road accidents.
