By Adeniyi Adedeji, Ilorin
Tragedy struck at the weekend in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, as a family of five was swept off the road and pushed under a collapsed bridge along Oko Erin Area of the capital city.
Three members of the family were rescued dead, while two others were still missing as at press time on Sunday
Eye witnesses said the incident occurred in the early hours of day, during a heavy rain which lasted for more than four hours.
The bridge which had been in existence for over two decades suddenly collapsed, during the rain forcing the car conveying the family to plunge into the wild flowing river under the bridge.
The car was still trapped in the river at the time of filling this report.
Speaking at the scene of the incident, the state Director of Fire Services, Mr Abdulwaheed lyanda, confirmed that three members of the same family lost their lives.
He disclosed that the state Fire Service was able to recover only one dead body and yet to recover the bodies of others
He said, “We are still searching for the remaining two bodies, because of the river torrent. We are however making efforts to secure the other two dead bodies.”
The state Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr Rotimi Iliasu, speaking after he visited the collapsed bridge, described the incident as unfortunate and commiserated with the family of the dead.
Attributing the bridge collapse to constant dumping of refuse under the bridge, which he said impeded free flow of water, the commissioner called on residents of the state to desist from dumping refuse under bridges and water ways to avert disasters.
He emphasised the importance of the road, said that the ministry had already begun repair works on the bridge, adding, “Consequently, the Oko Erin road has been blocked, while some personnel from the state Traffic Management Authority are at the scene of the collapsed bridge to monitor diversion of traffic.”
