Tragedy struck on Friday when an 18-seater bus carrying passengers to the Bayelsa Deputy Governor’s burial was involved in a crash along the Toru-Orua axis of the Sagbama/Ekeremor Road.
News of the accident emerged shortly after it occurred, with initial reports suggesting multiple casualties.
Prof. Seiyef Brisibe, Bayelsa Commissioner for Health, confirmed the crash in a telephone interview with reporters, saying that two victims died at the scene.
He dismissed rumors that more than 10 people had died in the incident.
“Our State Ambulance Services promptly responded and evacuated the victims to hospitals. Seven were taken to Sagbama General Hospital, while 10 were taken to the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital in Okolobiri. Two passed on at the accident scene, and the rest are currently in stable condition. The speculation that more than 10 people died is false,” he said.
Prof. Brisibe added that the deployment of the state’s ambulance fleet ensured prompt medical attention for the victims.
He also said that Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa had directed the provision of adequate medical care for the victims, and the state government would cover all medical bills.
Meanwhile, reporters learned that the burial ceremony of the late Deputy Governor, Dr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, at Ofoni in Sagbama Local Government Area, was ongoing at the time of filing this report.
Ewhrudjakpo, aged 60, collapsed and died on December 11 while performing his official duties at the Government House, Yenagoa.
