How I narrowly escaped death; Ikoyi collapsed building survivor narrates

A bricklayer, Wisdom John, who sustained minor leg injury, told reporters yesterday night that he was able to escape before the structure collapsed.

He claimed he was just brought in from Cross River State, adding that there were about 55 persons brought from different parts of the country to work there.

According to him, he and 39 others were brought on Sunday, while 15 other artisans joined them on Monday before the building collapsed.

“I am a bricklayer from Cross River State. I was brought in to work in the building. I was working downstairs when we started hearing cracks and some of us decided to know what was happening. I was able to run out before the building finally collapsed. The others were not so lucky. I only sustained injury on my foot.

“We were first 40 artisans working but the owner brought in 15 people today (Monday) – making 55. I do not know their names since I only came in yesterday.

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“I reported to the agencies on ground (paramedics), but was told to go home since it was only minor foot injury. They said they can’t take me to the hospital,” he said.

An artisan who was working in a nearby building said he and his colleagues felt the vibration of the structure from the property they were working in, adding that they immediately ran out only to hear their colleagues screaming for help.

He said: “We were working besides the building while some others were working inside the collapsed building.

“More than 50 people were working inside this big building when it collapsed. The building started vibrating and the next thing was that it came down.

“One person was pulled out lifeless. The owner, Mr. Femi is inside. We were talking with some of our colleagues who are trapped inside when the building collapsed. We called emergency workers from 2pm but they did not get here till past 4pm (on Monday). We are glad they are here now because it will be faster.

“Since they got here, some others have been rescued. Those ones are alive and were taken to the ambulance.”