By Wellington Jopelo
Not fewer than two people have been confirmed dead after world-famous boxer Anthony Joshua was involved in a road accident on Monday along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Ogun State.
The crash happened a little after 11am when the vehicle conveying Joshua reportedly collided with a stationary truck along the busy highway. The circumstances surrounding the accident are still under investigation.
Joshua was said to have sustained minor injuries, while two occupants of the vehicle died on the spot, according to eyewitnesses who were part of the rescue effort.
The boxer was travelling in a Lexus SUV with three other occupants when the accident occurred. A second vehicle, a Pajero SUV, which carried his security team, was part of the convoy but was not directly involved in the crash.
An eyewitness, Adeniyi Orojo, said the accident occurred just before Danco Filling Station in Makun, close to the Sagamu Interchange on the Ibadan-bound section of the road.
According to him, Joshua was seated at the back of the Lexus behind the driver, with another passenger beside him, while two others were seated in front.
He explained that immediately after the crash, bystanders and other road users rushed to the scene to help rescue the victims and stop traffic to prevent further accidents.
Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) later arrived at the scene and took control of the rescue and recovery operation.
The two victims who died were identified as the passenger sitting beside the driver and the person seated next to Joshua at the back of the vehicle.
Meanwhile, fans of the boxing star have taken to social media to express concern over his safety, as authorities continue investigations into the cause of the fatal accident.