Tragedy: Groom’s father, siblings, others die in auto crash in Bayelsa

Pandemonium in Bayelsa state as night wedding guests, including the groom’s father, siblings died in a fatal auto crash in Yenegoa during the weekend.

The ill-fated incident occurred when a Toyota Hiace bus conveying the groom’s family after the close of the marriage collided with a Toyota Highlander Jeep at Igbogene area – a metropolis of the state capital on Saturday at about 5pm in the evening.

The bus carrying the groom’s family was heading to Sagbama in the Sagbama Local Government Area in the state after the marriage ceremony when the incident happened.

Meawhile, a top female Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stalwart in Ogbia LGA was identified to be among victims that died in the incident.

However, the Sagbama Local Government chairman, Hon. Embeleakpo Alale, and the Member representing Sagbama Constituency 1, Hon (Dr.) Godbless Nanaotumieyeseigha had visited the scene.

The duo, addressing the press shortly after visiting the survivors receiving treatment at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH), Okolobiri and Tobis Hospital, Yenagoa, described the incident as a great loss to Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation, and prayed for souls of the departed to find rest in the bossom of the Lord.

The Bayelsa State Police Command in a press statement confirmed the incident, adding that it has commenced investigation to unravel the cause of the incident.

A statement by the command PPRO, Asinim Butswat – added:“the unfortunate accident occurred on Saturday 4th December, 2021 at about 1700hours, along the Glory Land drive, Igbogene, involving a Toyota Hiace Bus with Reg No. AKL 652 YP and a Toyota Forerunner Jeep with Reg No. KMK 923 AA. Sketch marks of the scene were taken, the cars were also evacuated to the Igbogene Division for further inspection.

“The corpses of the victims were deposited at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, while the injured passengers are responding to treatment at the same facility.”