A Nigerian medical professional practising in the United Kingdom has brought renewed attention to the tragic accident involving world-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua. The doctor shared an official report that pinpointed two primary causes for the devastating crash that claimed the lives of two of Joshua's close friends.
Official Findings on the Tragic Incident
The incident, which made headlines on 29th December, occurred along the busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway. The UK-based doctor, identified on social media as @OurFavOnlineDoc, shared a video report from CNN that detailed the authorities' conclusions. According to the shared report, Nigerian authorities stated that Anthony Joshua's car was speeding and lost control while attempting a dangerous overtaking maneuver, ultimately colliding with a stationary truck.
The crash resulted in the tragic deaths of Joshua's longtime friends and associates, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami. The boxer was seen in widely circulated footage being helped from the wreckage, but the two other occupants did not survive.
Two Critical Factors Identified
The CNN report, as highlighted by the doctor, specified two main factors leading to the accident:
- Overspeeding: The vehicle was travelling at an excessive speed, reducing the driver's ability to react and maintain control.
- Dangerous Overtaking: The attempt to overtake another vehicle was executed in a perilous manner, which led to a loss of control on the highway.
The doctor quoted the report on his page, writing: "Two foreigners were killed in this road crash. According to Nigerian authorities, they were allegedly speeding and overtaking dangerously when this happened."
Public Reaction and Broader Road Safety Concerns
The doctor's post sparked significant reactions online, with many Nigerians using the tragic event to highlight broader issues of road safety and driving culture. User @hottakeswithAj commented on the need to address how drivers conveying VIPs often operate, stating: "They meander and overtake dangerously, often at excessive speed. There is a need to caution them on the danger & risks of this."
Another user, @prinxe_B, noted the avoidable nature of the tragedy: "This is so tragic & it really highlights the dangers of speeding... Losing control while overtaking because of excessive speed is completely avoidable, and it’s heartbreaking that it cost lives." The sentiment underscored a widespread call for greater caution on Nigerian roads.
Other social media users expressed grief and relief that Joshua survived. @trishijay wrote: "God it could have been Anthony too but you kept him for a reason. May God rest the souls of the departed."
This incident follows an earlier eyewitness account reported by Legit.ng, where a young man named Promise described the scene. He explained what transpired before security personnel arrived and speculated on what might have happened if the truck had not been present.
The sharing of this official report by a medical professional in the diaspora has amplified crucial conversations about road safety regulations, responsible driving, and the consequences of speeding on Nigeria's highways.
