Five people were rescued alive, and three bodies were recovered by the Oyo State Fire Services Agency as a passenger bus plunged into the Ariyo River along Amuloko Road in Ibadan.

The agency’s chairman, Moroof Akinwande, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Akinwande said the agency’s personnel received a distress call about the incident on Wednesday from one Fadeke Yusuf and immediately deployed personnel to the scene.

“Upon arrival, we met a Suzuki bus (OSUN) LEW 484 XA with eight passengers, which had lost control and crashed into a river.

“Five persons were rescued alive and conveyed to Ona-Ara Private Hospital, Jegede area, while three dead bodies were recovered and handed over to a team of policemen from Ogbere Divisional Headquarters led by ASP Aishat Ibrahim,” he said.

He attributed the accident to reckless driving and advised motorists to drive with care and to observe road safety tips to avoid unnecessary accidents.

Mr Akinwande appreciated the support of the crew of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency, Ona Ara Division and Glorious Temitope, chairman of Ona Ara LGA, during the operation.

(NAN)