The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released a preliminary report on the tragic boat accident that led to the deaths of Nollywood actor Pope Odonwodo, known as Junior Pope, and three others.
During a press briefing, the NSIB revealed critical details about the accident, including that the boat driver was not certified.
The report disclosed that the speedboat, carrying 12 actors and crew members, capsized in the Anam River, resulting in five fatalities.
The Director of Transport Investigation noted that the crash occurred when the boat collided with a wooden fishing canoe.
The speedboat was traveling at high speed, while the canoe was moving much slower.
Upon seeing the fast-approaching boat, the lone occupant of the canoe jumped into the river and escaped.
The collision caused all occupants of the speedboat to be thrown into the river.
Initial findings revealed that the boat was not registered, and the driver lacked certification. Of the 12 passengers and one driver aboard, only one passenger was wearing a life jacket, which they had brought themselves.This passenger was among the survivors.
The NSIB learned about the accident through social media and promptly dispatched investigators to the site.
The investigation uncovered several safety lapses: the lack of a passenger manifest, the absence of life jackets provided by the operator, and an untimely rescue operation without trained divers.
The Director of Transport Investigation stated:
“There was only one person on the wooden fishing canoe. This rowdiness in the boat distracted the driver, and he was not looking out as required.
The boat was on high speed, and the crossing canoe was moving at a much slower speed. The only occupant of the canoe, on sighting the fast-approaching boat, jumped into the river and escaped.
The boat collided with the canoe at a high speed, resulting in the boat capsizing and all persons onboard being flung into the Anam River.”
“Only one passenger on the outboard engine fibre boat was wearing a life jacket. The only passenger wearing a life jacket came with it and was not provided by the operator.
The passenger wearing the life jacket was one of the survivors. The boat was fitted with an outboard engine. There was no manifest of passengers and persons onboard the boat. The rescue operation was not timely, and there were no trained divers around to assist in the operation.”
In addition to this preliminary report, the NSIB presented four other final and preliminary reports, along with 20 safety recommendations aimed at preventing similar accidents in the future.
