A student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Ajibola Heritage, has been reported dead after falling into a soakaway at Bver hostel.
It was gathered that the deceased, a part two student of Linguistics and African Languages, was trying to spread her clothes, when she mistakenly stepped on planks used to cover part of the septic tank, the plank collapsed under her leg, upon which she fell into the tank.
Findings revealed that part of the soakaway had already collapsed and was covered with a plank to cover the exposed part.
An eyewitness account stated that it took men of the Osun Fire Service and those of the school about one hour to break into the soakaway to pull her out.
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“The school firemen and those of the state government were at the venue to rescue her, but it took about one hour before they could break into the soakaway and pull her out,” the source said.
Reacting to the development, OAU’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, said the incident took place at one of the private hostels in the student’s village.
Abiodun, in a statement, said the University Management is saddened by the unfortunate incident.
“When the news got to us, we immediately mobilised the firemen from the University, Osun State and the OAU Teaching Hospital, who through concerted efforts, got the student out. She was immediately taken to the OAU Teaching Hospitals Complex, where she was certified dead.
“The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, who led his management team to the scene, sympathised with the students and commiserated with the parents of the deceased.
“Professor Ogunbodede, who described the incidence as tragic and unacceptable, promised to critically look into the circumstances that led to the student’s death and mete out appropriate sanctions against those involved or whoever is found culpable.
“The Vice-Chancellor, therefore, appealed to the students to remain calm and law-abiding as the police, who have been briefed, are also investigating.”
