Tragedy struck at the weekend in Adagbabiri, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, when a Toyota Highlander sport utility vehicle (SUV) rammed into and killed a woman and three of her children along the East-West Road.

Doctors at the Oghara General Hospital are, however, battling to save the life of one of the woman’s children called T-Girl.

A female passenger in the vehicle, which checks indicated was coming from the Patani end of the road, also lost her life.

Eyewitness account said the driver identified as Meeting Okpekpe Mayor lost control of the vehicle on top speed and he rammed into the roadside where traders were seated.

Kevin, who claimed he was at the scene of the accident, said the woman and her children were having lunch in her kiosk when they were crushed.

“The woman was having lunch with her children when the SUV ran into their kiosk and crushed them. The woman and three of her children have been confirmed dead, while one is still battling for life.

The deceased mother was identified as Ruth and the children are Favour, nine years old; Godsgift, five years old and Oghenero, a year old. The only surviving child and in critical condition at the Oghara Hospital is known as T-Girl by the traders,” he said.

Spokesman of the Bayelsa Police Command, Astimin Buswat, confirmed the development. He gave the number of the Highlander SUV as YEN 726 RG, saying it was coming from the Patani end of the East-West Road when the incident occurred. “The vehicle ran into the shops,” he said.