Friends mourn tragic death of medical doctor, Urenna Iroegbu, in truck crash 2 days after NYSC POP

The tragic death of a medical doctor, Urenna Iroegbu, in a fatal crash has thrown her friends and former school mates into mourning.

Neusroom gathered that Iroegbu died in an accident along Onne road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Saturday July 18, 2020. The incident occurred two days after she passed out of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Thursday July 16.

She graduated from the Imo State University in 2018 and worked at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital for her NYSC. Sources said she was returning home when the tragic incident happened.

The Rivers State Coordinator of NYSC, Chiwendu Chukwu, initially declined to speak with Neusroom correspondent on phone who called him to confirm Iroegbu’s death.

Chukwu, who had claimed he doesn’t like to speak with journalists because they twist words, later confirmed the incident after the correspondent sent him an SMS.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Rivers State, Salisu Galadunci, told Neusroom on phone that the accident happened around 4pm on Saturday.

“We were informed by the Police that the driver of the Toyota Sienna the lady boarded was driving against traffic when it had a collision with a truck coming from the opposite direction and had the right of way,” Galadunci said.

“The case was not reported to the FRSC, we gathered that the lady and other victims were rushed to a private hospital, but unfortunately she died there.”

Some of her friends who have taken to social media to mourn the tragic death, said Iroegbu’s demise shattered their hearts.

One of her close friends, Martha Nduka, said Iroegbu had made it out of the vehicle alive but died at the hospital.

“The vehicle you were in was shattered but you made it out in one piece and we were told you were responding to treatment, only for us to still hear last night, you were dead…How?” she wrote.

Nduka, who also attended the Imo State University with Urenna described the deceased as a fighter, caring, humble and smart young lady who lived a short but good life

“Urenna Samuel Iroegbu, you’ve shattered our hearts, just two days after your NYSC POP and you are no more, how? This wasn’t part of the plans we had… Nooooo…” Nduka wrote in her tribute on Facebook.

“After all the struggles in school, internship and NYSC, after all the eight years of endurance, after the celebration on 16th July 2020, Ure, you left us. We had greater plans….now you’ve left your family and we your friends. The squad will never be the same without you,” she wrote.

There has also been an outpouring tribute and grief as her friends mourn her tragic death.

Nosiri Bobby described Iroegbu’s death as the “worse shock in my life.”

“I have lost a lot of people while growing up but this one made me mad…..UREM I will always miss you,” he wrote.

Prince Chris Nwaeke who recounted his last moment with the deceased said “I am still in shock that my very own friend is no more. She is supposed to submit an application through me this week here in Port Harcourt, only for me to see this post this night.”

Neusroom could not reach Iroegbu’s family for comment.