28th December, 2011
Two cars collided and plunged into the river along Ijebu-Ode – Benin road by Ososa-Ijebu in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, southwest Nigeria, yesterday evening.
The accident which occurred about 4pm caused traffic jam on the highway as officials of the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, TRACE, had a hectic time directing the traffic.
P.M.NEWS learnt that one of the cars sank into the river and all efforts by a combined team of fire servicemen, TRACE, the police and the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, to remove it proved abortive.
It was gathered that the team was able to remove the second car, a Toyota Camry model and its two occupants were rescued.
They were rushed to the General Hospital, Ijebu-Ode for medical treatment. The two victims were said to be unconscious as at the time of filing this report this morning.
Speaking with P.M.NEWS about the accident on phone today, the TRACE commandant in Ijebu-Ode zone, Mr. Kunle Ajibade, said that the accident would have been averted if the two drivers exercised patience.
“The information we got from eyewitnesses was that one of the cars was driving against the traffic. I tell you this fact, the simplest way to die is to drive against the traffic. My advice to all road users is that they should be patient because those who drive safely get home safely,†Ajibade counselled.
He said the rescue team will continue to monitor the car that sank hoping that in three days’ time, its occupants might float along the river bank, adding that he was in possession of the mobile phone of one of the victims rushed to the hospital.
When P.M.NEWS correspondent visited the scene of the accident, hundreds of sympathizers besieged the area.
—Abiodun Onafuye/Ijebu-Ode