Tragedy as new groom dies in Ondo accident, wife severely injured

A man simply identified as Adewale, who just got married on Saturday, was among the five persons confirmed dead in an accident in which an 18-seater bus plunged into a river in Aponmu village, Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo state.

He was returning to Akure with his wife after the wedding at the Ikoyi Registry when the incident occured on Sunday afternoon.

Eyewitnesses said they were to conduct the traditional wedding next weekend.

The new wife was said to have been seriously injured in the accident.

It was gathered the bus marked Lagos AAA 859 XC plunged into the Owena river, killing the driver and four others.

Eyewitnesses said the driver lost control while on top speed amidst heavy downpour.

The witnesses said the rain prevented help from getting to the trapped passengers for over an hour.

Rescue operation was still one as at press time.

The death of the five passengers was attributed to the impact the bus had when it hit the rock at the bottom of the river.

Other rescued injured victims, including a five-year-old, have been rushed to the hospital.

Spokesman for the Ondo FRSC, Mr. Abiola Fadumo, said he was yet to confirm the number of casualties as rescue operation was still on.