Former Rivers Assembly Speaker, Tonye Harry, Slumps, Dies

Former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Tonye Harry, has been reported dead.

Harry was said to have died on Thursday while being flown overseas for treatment after collapsing on Monday at the Port Harcourt Club after a game of tennis.

Although the family was yet to issue a statement as at yesterday, the State Government and leadership of the assembly have issued condolence messages on the death of the former speaker and serving member representing Degema State constituency in the assembly.

A source, that would not want to be named, volunteered that Harry slumped at the Port Harcourt Club on Monday shortly after a game of tennis and was immediately rushed to a private clinic in Port Harcourt, where he was said to have been stabilised.

He however disclosed that Harry's condition deteriorated afterwards, a situation which made the State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, to direct that he be flown abroad for further treatment.

The source said, "He (Harry) had a game of Tennis with his friends and he was in a jovial mood throughout the game. He didn’t give any indication of being under stress or exhaustion.

"However, some minutes after he entered the changing room, he slumped and the people around raised the alarm and rushed him to a private Hospital after informing his wife and the state Governor."

It was however leant that Harry died mid-air on Thursday while being flown on an air ambulance to France for medical treatment.

Source: Thisday