On-Campus Accident Claims OAU Final Year Student’s Life, Others Injured

Tragedy struck at the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun State, as a final year student in the Department of Agric Economics, Chisom Nwankwo, on Tuesday lost her life in an accident that occurred on the campus of the institution.

Nwankwo was said to be travelling on a commercial motorcycle along Road 1 on the campus when the accident which claimed her life occurred.

Nwankwo and the motorcyclist who conveyed her were rushed to the health centre, from where they were moved to OAU Teaching Hospital, immediately after the accident occurred.

He was however confirmed dead at the hospital.

Sources said before the accident that claimed Nwankwo’s life happened, a motorcyclist and another student of the university, Deborah Okunola, had been injured in another accident.

While they were being attended to, the motorcyclist conveying Nwankwo, upon arriving at the scene, got carried away and lost control, after a bus coming behind hit it.

The school spokesperson, Abiodun Olanrewaju, while confirming the development said, “Around 11 am, along Road 1, an accident involving two Okadas and two vehicles occurred.

“One particular Okada rider was trying to overtake a red-coloured Toyota Corolla car. Unfortunately, the side mirror of the car hit the motorcycle and the rider fell with the passenger.

“The passenger is a Part 2 student of Psychology in our school by the name, of Deborah Okunola. As those were trying to attend to themselves, one Chika Nwakore carrying a Part Five female student of the Department of Agric Economics by the name of Chisom Nwankwo arrived at the scene.

“The motorcyclist carrying Nwankwo was distracted by the first accident and he lost concentration. A bus that was coming behind hit the bike. The rider and the passenger fell.

“What we were told was that Nwankwo and the okada man were injured and taken to our health centre where they were referred to the OAU Teaching Hospital Complex but unfortunately, Nwankwo was later declared dead.

“The body is in the Anatomy Section on the campus. The university authority has informed the police and is taking necessary action. The Vice-Chancellor is not happy with the situation and management has frowned at all this carelessness on our roads.

“We sympathise with the parents of the deceased and we pray that God Almighty will give them the fortitude to bear the terrible loss. We are not happy to lose any of our students.”