Fallen Tree Kills Two, Injures Others In Kwara

Residents of Sango area of Ilorin, Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State were on Monday thrown into mourning when a big tree suddenly fell and killed two persons and injured several others.

Osun Defender gathered that the incident which happened about 8 a.m. threw residents of 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.

A vulcanizer in the area, known as Malam Abdulrasheed and some shop owners in the area were said to have escaped death as they were yet to open for business when the incident happened.

According to a source who preferred anonymity, “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.”

The medium gathered that the victims of the accident were rushed to a private hospital for first aid treatment while those with serious injuries were transferred to the state hospital and the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital for further treatment.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Okasanmi Ajayi, while confirming the incident in a statement on Monday, 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 will be made available as soon as it is concluded.”

Meanwhile, the state government had directed that the victims of the accident be taken to the state general hospital for treatment.

The government in a sympathy 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.