TheCable

Eleven female supporters of Patience Jonathan died in an auto crash while returning from a solidarity visit to the first lady, in Okrika, Rivers state, on Saturday night.

The women were returning to their base in Bayelsa state when the unfortunate incident happened at the Ahoada axis of East-West road in Rivers.

Vincent Jack, sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Rivers, confirmed the development, explaining that the accident occurred when the tyre of a Toyota Sienna car burst and rammed into the bus carrying the women.

He said nine of the 11 were burnt to death, while the other two died without burns and one person survived from the wreckage of their vehicle, which burst into flames.

“Many others who sustained injuries during the accident were rushed to Madonna clinic in the area,” he said.

“The car then also rammed into the bus in confusion, a situation which led to the bus going up in flames.”

According to NAN, the bus that conveyed the women bore the inscription ‘Women For Change Initiative’, a non-government organisation (NGO) promoted by the first lady.