A heart-wrenching incident occurred in Itedo Eledumare Street, Oba-Ile, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, resulting in the death of a middle-aged man identified as Titus Adega.
The man, along with his five-year-old son Kizito, lost their lives when a wall collapsed on them after a heavy downpour.
Witnesses recounted that the incident unfolded when a wall at the back of their building crumbled due to the force of the rain. In a heroic act, Titus Adega reportedly used his own body to shield his young son Kizito from the falling debris of the collapsing wall.
Widow of the deceased, Mrs Margaret Adega, said it was a cry from her son that drew her to the scene.
“I heard the loud cry of my son from my sleep and I rushed outside, only to find him under the rubbles of the collapsed wall of the building.
“While trying to extricate him, I discovered the unconscious body of my husband on top of him. I believe my husband used his body to protect our son when the wall fell.
“I called out to neighbours who assisted me to extricate them from the rubbles and rushed both of them to the maternity centre in the neighbourhood.
“On getting there, we were asked to take them to the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital. But when we got there, my husband was confirmed dead on arrival.”
She said the remains of her husband have been deposited at the mortuary while their son who had a leg fracture and minor bruises on the face, was receiving treatment.
Mrs Adega said her husband’s remains would be taken to Benue State for burial after her son has been discharged from the hospital.
Head of the Children’s Emergency Room, said that Kizito Adega was brought into the hospital around 4.52pm with bruises on his face and a leg fracture.
Folahan said that the child would be referred to the Orthopedic ward for traction.