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A 36-year-old man saved 13 passengers in boat accident that claimed the lives of six persons, but he lost his life in the process.
Joseph Blackson sadly lost his life after single-handedly rescuing 13 persons where the passenger boat capsized at Bakama in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Blackson who was a diesel supplier, was trying to rescue the 14th person when he died in the river on Saturday.
According to Punch, it was gathered that apart from those who were saved by the fishermen around Iborama, where the passenger boat capsized, sources said the river was deep and going in and out of it for more than eight times could be energy-sapping.
A friend of the deceased, who identified himself only as Benibo, said the 36-year-old father of two was known for helping people in need.
“He (Blackson) used to manage a family filling station at Rumuola (before it was demolished). Until his death, he was a contractor, supplying diesel in Trans Amadi to companies there.
“He didn’t use life jacket like others. He gave up the ghost in the process of rescuing them,” Benibo said.
A survivor of the accident who chose to remain anonymous, blamed the boat accident on the speed of the boat captain as well as dirt on the waterways.