Anthony Joshua car crash RECAP: Boxing star's team release statement as the two men who died are named
SOURCE:Daily Mail
Recap the Daily Mail Sport's blog for theupdates as former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has been injured in a fatal crash which has killed two people in Nigeria.
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live blog for the latest updates as former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has been injured in a fatal crash which has killed two people in Nigeria.
18:03
Joshua's position in the car
AJ and the driver were positioned on the left side of the car and survived, while those on the right took the brunt of the collision with the stationary truck and tragically died.
17:42
Two people killed 'were British'
David Meshioye, of the Nigerian Guardian, told the Daily Mail: 'It was a very bad accident and we have spoken to several people at the scene.
'Anthony Joshua was on his way to visit family as part of his holiday here in Nigeria. Two people were killed in the accident and they were both British we understand.
'Anthony was taken to a local private hospital with the driver by his security team who were provided by the Nigerian government and we are waiting further news.'
17:27
Truck towed from accident site
The truck that the SUV carrying AJ in collided with has now been removed from the crash site by Nigerian authorities.
Debris can be seen in the images showing the power of the impact that claimed the lives of two men in the vehicle.
Joshua was in one of the passenger seats in the back of the SUV that collided with the rear of a stationary truck. The Daily Mail understands the car's tyre burst when it swerved and hit the truck.
16:57
Crash location:
The crash that saw AJ narrowly escape death and took the lives of two others occurred on the Lagos–Ibadan expressway before a Danco petrol station (highlighted below with red marker) near the Sagamu Interchange, north-east of Lagos.
16:43
'Shock' to Joshua's family
A member of Joshua's family who lives in Nigeria said the crash has shocked them all.
'We are hoping for his speedy recovery and also the people who passed away - I pray for the departed to rest in peace, it has come to the family as a shock,' they told the BBC.
'He’s normally coming around for the new year. We haven’t seen him so we were expecting him.'
16:27
Joshua's relationship with Nigeria
AJ was born in Watford but takes great pride in his Nigerian roots, with the family coming from Sagamu in the south-west.
His great-grandfather adopted the Joshua surname after converting to Christianity.
Joshua often features a Nigeria flag on his ring walks before big fights and one of his most prominent tattoos is the continent of Africa on his shoulder.
He regularly visits Nigeria, filmed an Under Armour campaign in the country and feels a deep connection with his heritage.
16:16
Fatalities were 'foreign nationals'
The two people killed in the crash were 'male foreign nationals', according to Ogun's state government.
They also confirm Joshua and the driver were rescued by security travelling with him in the car behind, per reports on Nigerian broadcaster Galaxy TV reports.
15:49
Jake Paul 'praying for Joshua'
Joshua's most recent opponent, YouTuber turned boxer, Jake Paul, has just reacted to news of the car crash.
Paul said that he is 'praying for the lost live, AJ, and anyone impacted'
15:29
The key information we know
If you are just joining us, here is a recap of the major news we know around the car crash which has left Anthony Joshua injured and has seen two people killed.
The British boxing star, 36, was 'rescued alive and sustained minor injuries' and is understood to be receiving treatment in hospital.
The crash, along a busy stretch of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Makun, happened at around 11am local time (10am GMT) on Monday.
Joshua was one of five men involved in the crash when the Lexus Jeep he was travelling in the back of ploughed into a stationary truck near a petrol station. His security entourage was following in a separate car.
Authorities said the black Lexus is believed to have been travelling 'beyond the legally prescribed speed limit' and lost control while making 'an overtaking manoeuvre'.
15:03
Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps share images of the aftermath of the crash
Officials in Nigeria have released several images of the aftermath of the crash.
One shows a severely damaged car, pictured next to a police car and onlookers.
Two other images show the truck the jeep is understood to have crashed into.
14:37
Officials believe jeep was travelling over speed limit and 'crashed into a stationary truck'
Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps have issued a statement of their preliminary findings following the crash and confirmed five adult males, including Joshua, were involved.
Two persons sadly lost their lives, one sustained injuries, while two others escaped unhurt. Anthony Joshua was rescued alive and sustained minor injuries,' the statement reads.
The injured victim was evacuated for medical attention, while the remains of the deceased were conveyed to Livewell Morgue, Ajaka, Sagamu. The Nigeria Police Motor Traffic Division (MTD) was duly notified for further investigation and necessary documentation.
Preliminary findings indicate that the Lexus Jeep, which was suspected to be travelling beyond the legally prescribed speed limit on the corridor, lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre and crashed into a stationary truck well packed by the side of the road.
The primary causes of the crash being excessive speed and wrongful overtaking constitute serious traffic violations and remain among the leading causes of fatal road crashes on Nigerian highways.
To this end, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed on behalf of the entire Management and staff of the Federal Road Safety Corps extend heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wish the injured victim, Anthony Joshua a speedy recovery.
Key Updates
Fatalities were 'foreign nationals'
Jake Paul 'praying for Joshua'
The key information we know
Officials believe jeep was travelling over speed limit and 'crashed into a stationary truck'
Police statement confirms Joshua sustained 'minor injuries' in car crash as investigation launched
Joshua taken to hospital as police confirm two people have died
