Gov Okpebholo Shrinks Edo’s Debt, Expands Development Through Prudent Financial Management

Many Feared Dead As Bus Plunged Into River Six persons have been rescued alive from a commercial bus that plunged into the Ovia River, along the Benin/Lagos Expressway, Edo State, on Thursday evening. The State Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Cyril Mathew, disclosed this to journalists in Benin on Friday. He said two dead bodies were so far recovered from the vehicle, while more passengers were still trapped inside the river. It was gathered from the FRSC that the bus was traveling from Lagos to Port Harcourt, in River state. Matthew disclosed that divers had been contacted to recover the passengers trapped in the river. He said FRSC began the rescue mission on Thursday and had continued to Friday. "Six people were rescued alive, while one was recovered dead yesterday. Another body was recovered dead today. "Unfortunately, the chances of survival of the remaining passengers in the river are slim, given that the accident occurred yesterday evening. “We have engaged divers to help recover the bodies, but negotiations are ongoing. The divers are asking for ₦2 million to carry out the recovery," he said. The Edo Sector Commander said the accident occurred at about 4:20 pm on Thursday when a bus traveling from Lagos and heading to Port Harcourt veered off the highway and plunged into the river. "According to passengers who survived the crash, the driver lost control of the bus after experiencing brake failure. "In a desperate attempt to avoid colliding with vehicles in front, the driver veered into the opposite lane, leaving the Ore-Benin-Lagos route and crossing over to the Benin-Ore Road. "However, due to the speed of the vehicle, the driver was unable to regain control, causing the bus to hit a pavement and plunge into the river," he added.