Train crushes architect hurrying to work in Lagos (Photo)

A 32-year-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 crossing the railway tracks when he
was hit.
According to eyewitnesses who spoke to Punch,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, symphatisers 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 policemen,
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 easygoing. 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.