The lone survivor among the 8 Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State students killed in the fatal car crash last week recounts ordeal.
It can be recalled that last week Friday, of eight out nine students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State reportedly died in a fatal road accident on the Sagamu-Benin Expressway. The lone survivor of the accident, a 300-Level Science student, Ibukun Laughter Akinbo, relives her lucky escape to Campus Life.
“I sat with my cousin, Yetunde Aribiola, on the front seat during the journey. Suddenly, the truck collided with the bus in which we were travelling, which caused the container to fall on the bus. I noticed the door broke away and a heavy breeze threw me out of the vehicle,” said Ibukun who has an arm injury.
Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga visited Ibukun at the Babacock University Teaching Hospital at Ilishan Remo where she expressed satisfaction with her condition. Commiserating with the bereaved families, she said: “It is sad that the students died in their prime; at a time the country needs the younger generation to contribute their knowledge towards the growth of the society.”
It was gathered that the driver of the container-laden truck, with number-plate BDG 779 XE, was driving on the opposite lane to avoid craters on its lane. The unlatched container fell on the Toyota Hiace bus, with number-plate XV 311 MUS, after the head-on collision.
The Ijebu-Ode Commander of the Ogun State Traffic Management and Compliance Agency (TRACE), Tommy Hamzat, confirmed the truck was moving on the opposite lane. “I was coming from Sagamu and saw the accident. I had quickly stopped and ran to the scene to rescue the victims. Unfortunately, all the occupants died, including the driver. Only one passenger survived.”
The Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Adenola Adegbesan, described the students’ death as sad. “I may not have met or had close relationship with the deceased, but we were all colleagues. After our examination, we hoped to see ourselves when the school resumes in the next two weeks but these students will not return. I am yet to come to term with the tragic accident. I can only pray God gives the bereaved families the strength to bear the loss,” he added.