Pastoralist and 11 livestock perish in fatal Rivers highway accident

A fatal collision occurred at Evekwu in Rumuodogu, along the East-West Road in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, involving a Mercedes-Benz car and a herd of cattle, resulting in the death of a yet-to-be-identified herder.

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According to eyewitnesses, the cattle were crossing the road when the speeding vehicle struck the herders and the animals, killing about 11 cows in the process, which took place on Thursday.

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The occupants of the vehicle, who were reportedly travelling in a convoy, abandoned their damaged car and fled the scene in another vehicle, leaving behind the wreckage and the injured.

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Police officers from the Emohua Division responded promptly to the incident, evacuating the body of the deceased to the morgue, while the injured victim received medical attention.

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A video of the incident showed several dead cows in the bush, with some men seated beside one of the cattle in a nearby area, highlighting the severity of the collision.

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Upon being contacted, Blessing Agabe, the spokesperson for the state police command, confirmed the incident on Friday, stating that investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

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Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, provided further details, saying, "Yes, I can confirm the incident, one of the herders died, while the other was injured and rushed to the hospital, where he is now stable."

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According to Agabe, the owner of the Mercedes-Benz had fled the scene before the police arrived, and the corpse of the victim was taken away by the victim's people, while the injured cattle rearer was responding to treatment in the hospital.

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The police investigation into the incident is currently ongoing, as stated by Agabe, who confirmed that efforts are being made to determine the cause of the crash and the circumstances surrounding it.