Tragedy struck in one of the riverine communities in Ondo State yesterday as a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, identified as Juliet Okorocha, died in a boat mishap.
The deceased corps member, who was serving in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, was reportedly drowned in a boat accident at Igbokoda waterways.
The incident, which reportedly happened yesterday, involved the deceased and seven other passengers who boarded a speed boat at Ilepete, en route Igbokoda, the headquarters of the local government.
It was learnt that the speed boat capsized at the middle of the river and as a result the eight passengers on board sank.
According to a source, it took the marine policemen and other security agents who came for rescue mission several hours before seven of the victims could be rescued, leaving only the late corps member in the water.
However, after 24 hours of rigorous efforts of the rescue team, the lifeless body of the deceased was recovered.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Wole Ogodo, who confirmed the incident, said the corps member died in the accident because she did not know how to swim.
Ogodo described the incident as unfortunate, and said that the corpse of the deceased had been deposited at the mortuary of a hospital in Okitipupa.
According to him, “She was coming to Igbokoda town from the place she was serving in the riverine area. The speed boat that conveyed them caught fire in motion. I think they were eight on board, but she was the only one who died because she was not rescued on time and she didn’t know how to swim. It is very unfortunate”
Ogodo added that information at his disposal indicated that immediately the boat caught fire, late Okorocha, out of fear, jumped into the water. This, according to the PPRO, made it difficult for the local swimmers and the police rescue team to locate her in time.

Click HERE for more gists