Omotayo Fashola
Anthony Joshua recuperating after the accident
British-Nigerian boxing star Anthony Joshua will be ringing in the New Year from an exclusive hospital suite at Duchess International Hospital in Lagos, where he is recovering from injuries sustained in a devastating car accident that took the lives of two longtime companions.
The former unified heavyweight champion was riding in a luxury Lexus when the vehicle collided with a parked truck along the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Makun. Authorities confirmed Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele, Joshua’s close friends, tragically lost their lives in the crash, while two other passengers survived with non-life-threatening injuries.
Insiders reveal the global sporting icon was admitted to Nigeria’s premier private medical center, known for its state-of-the-art VIP treatment facilities. While initial reports indicate Joshua escaped with relatively minor wounds, doctors have chosen to extend his observation period due to the severity of the incident.
Lagos State’s top police official, Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo, verified to BBC Africa that authorities have launched a full-scale inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the collision.
“We can confirm an accident occurred involving the athlete, and he received prompt medical attention,” Ogunlowo stated.
Preliminary investigations by law enforcement suggest a combination of excessive speed and a sudden tire blowout caused Joshua’s SUV to veer out of control while attempting to pass another vehicle.
Babatunde Akinbiyi, head of Nigeria’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, underscored that preliminary findings point to “dangerous speeding leading to catastrophic tire failure” as the primary factor in the crash.
An anonymous bystander provided chilling details to Punch newspaper, recalling: “It happened so suddenly – two SUVs in convoy, the lead Lexus lost control violently.” The witness described how Joshua was seated directly behind the driver when the accident unfolded.
“We rushed to help immediately,” the eyewitness continued. “Thankfully federal road safety officers arrived quickly to secure the scene.”
