Ugo Nosiri, Owerri
A Senior Secondary School III student of Imo Girls Secondary school whose name was given as Nmesoma, has been drowned after she slipped into an uncovered manhole filled with flood from the heavy downpour.
According to reports, Nmesoma who hails from Mbieri was returning from school with her friends when the tragedy took place opposite the government house in the heart of the city.
An eye witness said the deceased and her friends stood for at a point where flood had covered the land surface, wondering where was safe to match on, not knowing there was an open drainage manhole.
“I saw them arguing which path they would match on. The girls argued for some minutes while still stuck in the rain. But it was impossible to know the best path to match on, for rain had covered the place.”
”Immediately she took her second step, the heavy flood swept her off her feet, forcing her into the deep drainage. Her school bag floated on the surface of the water. Her friends started shouting for help.” she narrated.
After several efforts, searching for her body inside the tunnel was proved abortive until information came that her body was found in Nworie river, and some good citizens obstructed her from being flushed down the river. She was then taken to Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri where she was confirmed dead.
Following the incident, some residents of the state called on the state government and the agencies involved to cover the manholes with iron which can still allow easy flow of water, to avoid such occurrence in the future.
