A father dedicating his child at a church has been killed and several others severely wounded when as a telecom mast belonging to a GSM Service provider collapsed at Okwagbe Community, Ughelli South Local Government area of Delta State.
The sad incident occurred yesterday during a heavy downpour while a Sabbath mass was ongoing at St. Lazarus Christ Church where the deceased was dedicating his new born baby.
The dead victim, Prince Ogbodobiri, was aged 36 and a father of six. It was gathered that he hailed from Okrika community in Burutu local council of the state.
Although details of the incident was still hazy at the time of filling this report, sources close to the church said several persons were seriously injured and had been taken to different hospitals in the state for quick medical attention.
An eyewitness told newsmen at the Otu-Jeremi General Hospital that: “It was so sudden and violent. The mast came down hard on the crowded church and a portion fell directly on the man who died instantly.
“The baby for dedication was right in his hands at that deadly moment, but survived with injuries like over fifty other affected victims who have been rushed for medical attention”.
Another source, Comrade Austin Ozobo, claimed that the crumbled mast buried the late Ogbodobiri instantly, saying that it took the efforts of church members and sympathisers to remove the corpse.
Said he: “The contractor who installed the mast did a very shabby job, so when it was raining, the mast couldn’t withstand the force of the breeze and fell on the church killing the man who was dedicating his child.”
However, our source could not ascertain which of the telecoms service providers owned the collapsed mast, but added that the remains of the dead victim been deposited at the Jeremi General Hospital Mortuary.
When contacted, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Celestina Kalu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) however confirmed the incident.
This is soo sad!! Oh God have mercy…..!!!!