Architect dies as train runs over his legs

A fast moving train yesterday crushed a man to death at Cappa near Oshodi in Lagos.

The deceased described as an architect, it was learnt, was on his way to his office at 17, Esther Osiyemi Street in Ilupeju, Lagos.

 A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who was inside the train, said the man was standing on the rail track oblivious of the fast approaching train.

The Abeokuta-Lagos-bound mass transit train was leaving its Oshodi station for Mushin when the accident occurred.

The train driver was said to have hooted repeatedly as he approached the railway crossing at Ilupeju Bye-pass for clearance of the track.

According to the eyewitness, the victim, who had his earphone on, was apparently carried away with what he was doing.

“Obviously the man was not aware of the approaching train even as it blasted its horn, perhaps because of the earphone. Before he knew it, he was already hit by the train and was not given any chance to escape.

“Immediately he was hit, the body was mangled as the train dragged it along,’’ the eyewitness said.

Bystanders raised their hands over their heads in pity for the victim.

“The man has suddenly and unwittingly lost his life to sheer carelessness,’’ a passenger said.

Another eyewitness said the victim whose name was simply given as Smith just alighted from a commuter bus and wanted to cross the rail line.

“As he made attempt to cross the track, some guys tried to stop him but thinking they wanted to rob him, he shrugged himself off but sadly as he tried to turn, the train smashed his legs,” the witness said.

It was gathered that Smith has died before an ambulance came to take his body.

Another eyewitness who identified himself as Semiu said the victim was probably lost in thought when the accident occured.

Semiu said: “I work opposite his office. When his colleagues heard about his death, they all closed for the day. His death is really a great loss. He was a gentle man and he didn’t talk much.”

Smith, it was gathered had just wedded and had an eight-month-old child.

According to NAN, it was not the first time a moving train would crush to death people standing on the rail track.

A woman was killed at Shogunle GRA railway crossing in 2006 another person was killed in 2007 at Oshodi.