Nigerian journalists hospitalised after surviving auto crash in Ivory Coast
A group of Nigerian journalists narrowly escaped tragedy after a vehicular accident in Ivory Coast on Wednesday. The journalists, numbering over 50, were on their way back to Abidjan from Yamoussoukro, the Ivorian capital, where they covered the Group C match between Senegal and Gambia and the Group D clash between Angola and Burkina Faso at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium.
The accident occurred at approximately 2:30 am Ivory Coast time, as their vehicle reportedly collided with a wall. Among the eleven Nigerians on board, four sustained injuries: Muyiwa Adeniyi (independent photojournalist), Hassan Abdulsalam (Pulse Sports), Victor Olohunferanmi (People’s Gazette), and Seun Oyediji (Kick442).
Muyiwa Adeniyi shared his account of the incident, stating, “The only thing I saw when I woke up was that I met myself on the floor of the bus. I had slipped into another place, while my hand was stuck in one of the chairs. Immediately, I stood and saw people scampering for safety through the window.”
He further explained that after the crash, he received medical attention, including drips and prescribed drugs. Hassan Abdulsalam, another journalist on board, described the response of the police escort and Ivorians as prompt.
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“While taking the nap, a loud sound woke me up, and I found out that the bus was moving towards a wall. That’s how I jumped through the window to safety as I thought it was an explosion,” Abdulsalam recounted.
The police escort made emergency calls, and both security and ambulances arrived promptly. The seriously injured passengers were taken to the hospital, and the rest to different medical facilities for check-ups and treatment.
Images of the damaged bus highlighted the severity of the crash. Despite the harrowing experience, the journalists expressed gratitude for their survival and resilience. They have resumed their work as the AFCON tournament progresses to the round of 16 stage on Saturday.
