Two students at the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State, have been reported dead in an auto crash in the Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.
It was learnt that the incident occurred on the main campus of the institution on Wednesday.
One of the deceased was identified simply as Ebere, a 300-level student of the Faculty of Education.
It was gathered that some students had boarded an 18-seater bus which operated as a campus shuttle, while going to their respective departments.
According to a source in the university, no sooner had the shuttle left the bus park near the school gate around 7am than it somersaulted.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the impact left Ebere dead on the spot, while another student died later in the hospital.
The remaining 15 passengers and the driver were said to have sustained varying degrees of injury.
It was learnt that some of those in critical conditions were taken to the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital for treatment.
The source said, “The students boarded the bus near the school gate. Shortly afterwards, the bus somersaulted. A girl died on the spot, while another died in the hospital. Many others were injured.
“I do not think that the bus driver was speeding because there are speed breakers on the road. But the road is sloppy.”
It was gathered that the incident threw the university community into mourning, as students of the Faculty of Education on Thursday abandoned their classes in honour of their departed colleague.
The university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Edward Aihevba, said he did not have any report of deaths.
“There were casualties that were rushed to the hospital. For now, I cannot confirm any death,” Aihevba said.
The spokesman told our correspondent that an investigative committee had been set up by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ignatius Onimawo, to unravel the circumstances surrounding the accident.
“They (committee members) are to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the accident and the casualty level and come out with a report. All of them who were on the bus were treated.
“Those with visible injuries were rushed to the hospital. The rest were given first aid treatment,” he added.
The state Commissioner of Police, Johnson Kokumo, said a female student died in the crash.
He said, “A female student died. Two are currently at the Irrua Specialist Hospital and one is at a private hospital.”
