Makuochi Okafor,BBC Africa, Lagosand
Ian Aikman
AFP by way of Getty PicturesBritish heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has been injured in a automotive crash in Nigeria, which killed two different folks.
The previous world champion was travelling in a automobile that collided with a stationary truck on a significant expressway close to Lagos.
Images from the scene confirmed the 36-year-old being helped out of the again seat of a black SUV, surrounded by what seems to be damaged glass.
5 grownup males had been concerned within the crash, Nigeria’s Federal Street Security Corps (FRSC) mentioned. Two died, two survived “unharmed”, and Joshua was taken to hospital with minor accidents.
The crash occurred on the busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway at round 12:00 native time (11:00 GMT) on Monday.
The incident concerned two autos: a black Lexus and a stationary pink business truck.
Adeniyi OrojoThe FRSC mentioned the Lexus was “suspected to be travelling past the legally prescribed pace restrict”, based mostly on preliminary findings.
It mentioned the automotive appeared to have “misplaced management throughout an overtaking manoeuvre” and crashed into the stationary truck by the aspect of the street.
Footage shared by the FRSC confirmed a wrecked automotive on the web site of the crash, with a crowd of onlookers gathered round.
The Lagos-Ibadan expressway is called one among Nigeria’s deadliest roads, with significantly heavy site visitors at the moment of 12 months as many Nigerians residing overseas go to for the festive interval.
Joshua, who was born in Watford, has household roots in Sagamu – a city in Ogun state, south-west Nigeria, close to the crash web site.
He had been spending time within the nation following his latest victory over American YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on 19 December.
Hours earlier than the crash, Joshua posted a video to Instagram of him enjoying desk tennis with one other man. It’s unclear precisely when or the place the video was taken.
Federal Street Security CorpsNative police commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo mentioned an investigation into the accident had been ordered.
A relative of Joshua’s in Nigeria, who requested to not be named, instructed the BBC that information of the crash got here as a “shock” to the household.
They mentioned they had been hoping for his “speedy restoration” and provided prayers for many who died within the crash.
The member of the family confirmed that Joshua was travelling from Lagos to Ogun state when the accident occurred. His household had been anticipating him to hitch them in Sagamu for New Yr celebrations.
The boxer’s household is well-known within the city and traces its ancestry there throughout a number of generations.
There are plans to construct a brand new indoor boxing venue named after Joshua in Ogun, the place the boxer is a sports activities ambassador.
