An elderly woman, identified as Mrs Affiong Peters, has died after slumping inside a commercial bus in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the incident occurred late on Saturday while the vehicle was conveying passengers along the Edgerly–Mbukpa–Afukam axis of Calabar South Local Government Area.
The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, ASP Sunday Eitokpah.
According to the police, the driver of the commercial minibus, Mr John Okon John, reported at the Atakpa Police Station around 11:30 p.m. after discovering that one of his passengers had become unresponsive during the journey.
Eitokpah said the driver had picked up eight passengers from the popular Watt Market Roundabout and was heading to the Edgerly–Mbukpa–Afukam area when the woman suddenly developed a medical emergency along Edgerly Road, off William George.
He explained that the incident occurred as other passengers made way for the woman to alight from the vehicle.
“In the course of making room for the passenger to disembark, Mrs Affiong Peters stepped out of the vehicle. She suddenly sat on the ground, became unresponsive and was unable to speak,” the police spokesperson said.
He added that concerned passengers immediately assisted in returning her to the bus before she was rushed to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital for emergency treatment.
“Regrettably, she was later confirmed dead by medical personnel,” Eitokpah stated.
The police said the exact cause of death had yet to be established, although some passengers believed the deceased may have been under stress or suffering from an underlying health condition before the incident.
The command disclosed that members of the deceased’s family had been identified and formally notified.
“The deceased’s family has since been identified and duly informed. They are currently making arrangements for the preservation of her remains,” the statement added.
The police did not indicate whether an autopsy would be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
