Tragedy struck on Monday morning in the Sango area of Ilorin, Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State when a big tree suddenly fell and killed two persons and injured 10 others.
The incident was said to have happened about 8 am in the Sango area by the roadside near Baystar Petrol Station, opposite the Oke Adini junction of the town.
It was also gathered that the incident threw the area into confusion as one of the victims (a woman) reportedly died on the spot while others were rushed by sympathisers to a private hospital in the area.
It was gathered from the scene of the incident that the fallen tree was one of the two trees standing side by side in the area.
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Some shop owners in the area and a vulcanizer known as Malam Abdulrasheed escaped death as they were yet to open for business when the incident happened.
“The deceased persons and the injured persons were waiting by the roadside beside Baystar petrol station Sango area, opposite Oke-Adini junction, Ilorin to board commercial vehicles to their various destinations when the tree suddenly fell on them,” a source who preferred not to be mentioned explained.
About 10 victims of the accident were rushed to a private hospital where they were given first aid treatment while those with serious injuries were transferred to the state hospital and the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital for further treatment.
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The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Okasanmi Ajayi, confirmed the incident.
Okasanmi in a statement said, “A branch of a tree fell off a tree at Sango area this morning, seven persons were affected and were rushed to the hospital, two eventually died and others are still undergoing treatment.
“Investigation on the case is ongoing. Details of the investigation would be made available as soon as it is concluded,” the PPRO said.
It was further gathered that efforts were immediately put in place to ensure the safety of people in the area as saw millers were engaged to clear the fallen tree and the others standing side it.
Kwara state government in a sympathy message said that it had directed that the victims of the accident be taken to the state general hospital for treatment.
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A statement by the Commissioner of Health, Dr Mariam El-Imam, and signed by Press Secretary of the Ministry, Gbenga Falade said, “The tragic and fatal incident followed the unprovoked falling of a large branch of a tree on passers-by, shop owners and commuters awaiting the next available vehicle.
“In a swift response to distress calls received from the Oke-Andi (Oke-Adini) community following the unfortunate falling of a major tree branch on unsuspecting members of the community using the base of the tree as stalls and commuters awaiting the next bus, a team of experts were deployed from the state Ministry of Health to provide emergency care to the victims.
“The team of experts led by the Deputy Director of Medical Services, Dr. Stephen Arigidi, was warmly received at the site of the incident by the duo of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam and the Commissioner for Environment, Mallam Shehu Ndanusa Usman; who had arrived earlier at the scene of the incident,” part of the statement read.
The Commissioner further assured the public of the government’s continued commitment to their well-being while praying for the speedy recovery of all the affected victims.
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