British heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has been involved in a serious road accident in Nigeria which resulted in the deaths of two people.
The Moment of Impact and Rescue
The 36-year-old fighter was pulled from the mangled wreckage of his Lexus SUV after it collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway near Makun. The incident occurred shortly after 11am on Monday. Distressing footage circulating online shows a shirtless and dazed Joshua sitting in the front of the severely damaged vehicle amidst shattered glass before being helped out.
He was seen wincing in pain as he was extracted from the car and quickly transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of what have been described as minor injuries. An eyewitness told local media that they and others began the rescue immediately, flagging down other vehicles for assistance before officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps arrived at the scene.
Official Details and Fatalities
Nigerian road safety authorities confirmed that five men were involved in the collision in total. The Ogun State Police Commissioner, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, stated that the SUV 'rammed into a stationary vehicle' and that, tragically, 'there were two fatalities.'
Preliminary reports from the Ogun State Government indicate that the two deceased were male foreign nationals. Their bodies were taken to the Livewell Morgue in Sagamu. The government expressed 'profound condolences' to the families of the victims, describing the loss of life as a 'devastating loss.'
Authorities believe the Lexus was travelling 'beyond the legally prescribed speed limit' and lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre before hitting the parked truck. It is further understood that a tyre may have burst as the vehicle swerved.
Joshua's Condition and Aftermath
Joshua, who was seated behind the driver alongside another passenger, was treated by first-responders before being taken to hospital with the driver. His security detail, who were following in another vehicle, were reportedly involved in the initial rescue.
A friend of the boxer said he was 'okay but badly shaken up' by the traumatic ordeal, adding that 'he's trying to process' what happened. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, told the Daily Mail they were trying to contact Joshua and were awaiting more information, noting he 'appears okay' from initial images.
The boxing champion, who has family roots in Sagamu, Ogun State, is believed to have been on holiday in Nigeria and visiting relatives. A relative told the BBC they were in 'shock' at the news but hoping for his speedy recovery.
Just hours before the crash, Joshua had posted a video on Instagram playing table tennis with a friend. The incident comes shortly after his high-profile knockout victory over Jake Paul in Miami, from which he reportedly earned £70 million. Joshua is scheduled to fight again in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in February next year.
