Tragedy struck on Monday in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, when a tree fell and killed two people, including a woman, and injured 10 others in the Sango area of the town.
The incident, according to sources, occurred around 8am by the roadside near a filling station opposite Oke Adini Junction of the town.
PUNCH Metro also gathered that the woman died on the spot while others were rushed by sympathisers to a private hospital in the area.
It was also learnt that the fallen tree destroyed electric cables and shops within the vicinity.
“The deceased and the injured persons were waiting by the roadside beside the petrol station to board commercial vehicles to their various destinations when the tree fell on them,” a source said.
About 10 victims were rushed to a nearby 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.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Okasanmi Ajayi, confirmed the incident.
Okasanmi, in a statement, said, “A branch fell off a tree at the Sango area this (Monday) morning. Seven persons were affected and were rushed to the hospital, two eventually died and others are still undergoing treatment.
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“Investigation on the case is ongoing. Details of the investigation will be made available as soon as it is concluded.”
Meanwhile, the state government has sympathised with the families of the affected persons.
A statement by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Mariam El-Imam, and signed by the ministry’s Press Secretary, Gbenga Falade, read, “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.
“The Commissioner for Health said she was pleased that the community response was impressive, supportive and well-focused on helping the wounded and severely affected ones.
“The victims who were initially moved to nearby private hospitals were eventually evacuated to the General Hospital, Ilorin at Taiwo while the condition of the only victim who was moved to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital was described as stable and responsive to treatment.”
