Bush fire-induced auto crash kills five in Edo State

Five persons, including three employees of Okomu Oil Palm, were at the weekend burnt to death in a road accident that occurred along Iguobazuwa highway in Ovia South West Local Council of Edo State.

The crash, involving an 18-seater bus belonging to the oil company and a truck, reportedly happened when the two vehicles were avoiding bush fire from both sides of the road.

The bus was said to be heading for the head office of the palm oil firm in Ovia South West council area with the occupants from the company’s Extension II plantation in Ovia North East local government area when the fatal incident occurred.

Several motorists and passengers were stranded as the burning vehicles went up in flames and blocked the highway for hours.

A senior official of the firm, Mr. Fidelis Olise, confirmed the development, describing the event as a sad one for his workers.

His words: “It is a sad day for us. There was an accident involving one of our company buses. Everyone on the bus died. At the moment, we are trying to identify those who died in the bus. We have been able to identify three members of staff on the burnt bus.

“The accident is very devastating and was as a result of bush burning on both sides of the road. While the truck was avoiding the heavy fire around the corner of the road, it rammed into our staff bus conveying some staff and the next thing was both vehicles went up in flames.

“We are in a mourning mood. Families of the victims of the road crash have been contacted and we are making efforts to take the bodies to the morgue.”