FRSC Zonal Commander Inspects Anthony Joshua Accident Scene, Reassures Public of Swift Emergency Response
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has reiterated its commitment to prompt emergency response and strict enforcement of traffic regulations following a fatal road crash on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State involving renowned boxer, Anthony Joshua, and members of his team.
The Zonal Commanding Officer of FRSC RS2 Lagos Zone, Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Ann O. Oladayo, on Tuesday conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the accident scene amid widespread public interest and conflicting reports surrounding the incident, which occurred on Monday.
Addressing journalists during the inspection, ACM Oladayo said the visit was necessary to establish the true sequence of events, particularly as some FRSC operatives were already on patrol along the corridor at the time of the crash.
“There have been several reports in the public space. We decided to come for a first-hand assessment and eyewitness account because our operatives were present in this corridor when the incident occurred. We needed to ascertain exactly what happened,” she said.
According to the FRSC, preliminary findings from eyewitnesses indicated that a trailer conveying soya beans was properly parked off the road, awaiting offloading, when the vehicle conveying Anthony Joshua and his associates collided with it.
“From what we gathered, the truck was not on the carriageway. It was parked off the road and waiting to be offloaded when the vehicle ran into it,” Oladayo explained.
She refuted claims of delayed response by the Corps, stressing that FRSC personnel arrived at the scene within minutes of the crash.
“Immediately we got information about the incident, our operatives were on ground in under three minutes. Our focus was on rescue operations. Sadly, two lives were lost, but the injured victims were promptly rescued and taken for medical attention,” she stated.
The Zonal Commander added that investigations were ongoing, with suspected over-speeding and possible wrongful overtaking identified as likely causes of the crash. She noted that the force of impact, which reportedly dislodged the trailer’s tyres, suggested excessive speed.
“The speed limit on this highway is 100km/h. From the level of impact, it is likely that the vehicle exceeded the prescribed limit, but investigation is still ongoing,” she said.
Eyewitnesses at the scene corroborated the FRSC’s account. One of them, Yusuf Ajala Oluwaseun, attributed the crash to persistent speeding on the expressway, recalling similar incidents in the area. Another witness, Sodiq Ayo, confirmed the swift arrival of FRSC operatives and described how the injured occupants of the vehicle were rescued before the crowd gathered.
ACM Oladayo disclosed that the damaged trailer has since been evacuated to an FRSC facility using a heavy-duty tow truck, while the sports utility vehicle involved in the crash is currently in the custody of the Ogun State Police Command.
She urged motorists to exercise caution, plan their journeys adequately, avoid over-speeding and reckless overtaking, and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on any trip.
No comments