According to Punch, a
thirty-two years old architect, identified as Smith was crushed to death by a
train as he hurried to work around 7am on Wednesday morning.
The tragic
incident occurred in the Cappa, Oshodi area of Lagos. Smith was said to be crossing
the railway tracks when he was hit.
The deceased, a devout
Muslim, who was fondly called Alfa, could have been saved if help had come his
way on time.A mechanic in the area, Biodun Adebanjo, said Smith had only
recently had a baby with his wife.
“It was around 7am when he
alighted from the bus he had boarded to Cappa. His workplace is just a few
kilometres away. Immediately he alighted, he started racing towards the railway
tracks, apparently he was in a hurry and was oblivious of the hooting of the
train.
As he approached the
tracks, an area boy wanted to grab him and stop him from crossing, but he
thought he wanted to rob him and forcefully pulled himself away. By the time he
realised the danger he was in, it was too late. He tried to turn back, but the
train hit his right leg and slammed against his body.”
Another witness said immediately
the incident occurred sympathizers rushed to the scene and dragged him to the
side of the railway tracks. He said the victim was still breathing, but in dire
need of medical help.
He added that efforts to
get emergency workers to come to the scene were abortive as they reportedly did
not show up until 10am, about three hours after the incident.
Another witness, Austin
Edi, lamented that policeman who passed the area, merely looked and moved on.
“People kept calling the
emergency lines, but they just said they were coming. Policemen around the area
did not even make any effort to save the victim. It was around 10am that his
remains were removed by an ambulance.”
It was learnt that the
victim’s colleagues also came around and later informed his relatives about the
incident.
Our correspondent visited
Esther Oshiyemi Street where Smith worked in a construction firm as an
architect. The office was locked. Some people around told our correspondent
that the management of the company took the decision to mourn him.
A resident, Bisiriyu
Oladimeji, described late Smith as a religious man, who was noted for his
gentleness.
He said the information
making the rounds that the victim blocked his ears with earpiece and was
listening to music when the incident happened, was not true.
“I know him very well. I
have not even seen him use earpiece before. He was soft-spoken and easy-going.
We call him Alfa. It’s just unfortunate and nobody knows what he was thinking
that blocked his mind,” he said.
A man, who declined to give
his name, said no fewer than three people had died in recent times.
Just in August last year, a
man was crushed to death at the same spot. Shortly after this man (Alfa) was
killed this morning, another lady was almost crushed to death at the same
spot.We were the ones who shouted and stopped her from killing herself. There
have been many more like that.”
He attributed the incidents
to frustration, appealing to the government to build demarcation fences and
station train officials at the spot.
Punch
Nigeria transportation system is just upside down poor guy
ReplyDeleteEven the emergency system poor transport safety
ReplyDelete