Anthony Joshua’s mother has reportedly rushed to his bedside at a leading Nigerian hospital as he recuperates from injuries suffered in a car crash that tragically took the lives of two of his close friends. Local media sources indicate that Joshua is receiving care at Duchess International Hospital in Lagos, which has been recognised as Nigeria’s premier private medical facility for the past two years. Nigeria’s President confirmed on Monday that Joshua’s mother had reached the hospital to support her son, the former heavyweight boxing champion.

The 36-year-old is believed to be in a stable condition following his survival of the collision, which claimed the lives of his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, and personal trainer, Latif “Latz” Ayodele. Witnesses initially mistook the incident for an explosion due to the thunderous sound of the impact. They also reported that Joshua had voiced concerns about experiencing pain in his leg in the aftermath.

Speaking to Nigerian publication Vanguard, the unnamed eyewitness said: “The bang from the impact jolted everyone, at first, we thought it was another bomb blast. When we realised it was an accident, people rushed down. Some people started videoing the scene, while others opened the doors to see if they could rescue anyone.

“One of the men who survived shouted that we should help the people in the next car, saying one of them was Anthony Joshua. Some people didn’t even know who he was until a man who stopped by said they were from the same Sagamu.”

Nigeria’s president Bola Ahmed Tinubu confirmed in a statement that he had spoken to both Joshua and his mother in a phone call to the hospital where the British boxer was taken following the accident. Tinubu, who is currently out of the country, said he had offered his condolences to Joshua following the death of his friends Ghami and Ayodele.

He said: “I spoke with AJ on the phone to personally convey my condolences over the death of his two associates. I wished him well and prayed for him. He assured me that he is receiving the best care in the hospital.

“I also spoke with AJ’s mother and prayed for her. She was very appreciative of my call. Additionally, I spoke to Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was in the hospital with them. The Governor assured me that he will do everything possible to ensure AJ receives the best possible attention.”

Joshua had been travelling to visit relatives when the Lexus SUV he was in collided with a stationary lorry shortly after 11am on Monday on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Makun, southwest Nigeria.

Photographs of the mangled vehicle were published by Nigerian authorities, whilst a Mitsubishi thought to be part of Joshua’s motorcade remained intact just metres away.

Five individuals were caught up in the crash, with images revealing how the motor was utterly demolished – with the car’s doors torn off and the roof crushed beyond recognition. Eddie Hearn, who serves as chairman of Joshua’s promotional firm Matchroom, was amongst those who paid their respects to the duo following confirmation of their tragic deaths.

“With the heaviest of hearts,” he wrote in an Instagram post. “Two great men. Rest in eternal peace Sina and Latz. My thoughts and deepest prayers are with everyone.”

Boxer Chris Eubank Jr also penned a touching tribute. He wrote: “Thank god our heavyweight champ survived that horrible car crash. And pray for the two fallen soldiers Latz and Sina and their families. I knew both…they were genuinely good men. Rest in Peace boys.”