Man dies, 2 feared missing as Oko-Erin bridge collapses

A man was killed and no fewer than 2 persons reportedly missing following the collapse of a bridge in Oko-Erin area in Ilorin on Saturday.

The collapse of the bridge was as a result of a heavy downpour in the state which lasted for several hours.

The exact number of casualties was sketchy as of the time of filing this report as some unofficial sources at the scene said four people were carried away by the flood and still missing, while 2 survived.

A source said, “I learnt that 6 people were involved in the accident, 4 persons are missing. While 2 people have survived.”

According to another source at the scene, “The bridge collapsed as a result of yesterday’s torrential rain. A family of 4 and two of their workers are returning home. The two workers survived but the couple and their two children are still missing.”

However, speaking on this, the spokesperson of the State Fire Service, Hassan Hakeem Adekunle said the corpse of one of the missing, Mr Okechukwu Orwabo has been found at Coca Cola road.

Adekunle said, “The Kwara State fire Service was summoned to a rescue operation at Oke Erin area last night at about 22:30 hours, involving a Vehicle with 5 people inside the car while the bridge has been submerged by the torrent flowing over the bridge due to the downpour.

“One of the passengers alighted from the vehicle to check the depth of the torrent, but unfortunately, suddenly the bridge collapsed and got him sunk. Relatively the same time two passengers alighted from the vehicle and they got sunk too.

“The Brigade have been working round the clock to recover those victims. However, Mr Okechukwu Orwabo has been found dead at Coca cola road, the State Fire Service will leave no stone unturned to make the remaining victims namely; Chuben Orwabo and Chibike Orwabo are found soon.”