Pat Utomi recalls surviving fatal accident 35 years ago

File Photo: Economist and political activist, Prof Pat Utomi

Political economist and former presidential candidate, Prof Pat Utomi, has recounted how he survived a fatal accident 35 years ago after doctors at Boromeo Hospital in Onitsha reportedly declared that he had no pulse or breathing.

Utomi shared the experience in a Facebook post on Thursday, recalling that the accident occurred near Asaba and claimed the life of his driver.

According to him, doctors at the hospital told the Chief of Surgery that they had lost him after he was brought in following the accident.

“35 years ago, doctors at Boromeo Hospital in Onitsha told the Chief of Surgery that they had lost me.

“No pulse. No breathing,” he wrote.

Utomi said the surgeon, however, refused to give up and insisted on continuing efforts to save his life.

“But the surgeon refused to give up. He insisted on fighting on, determined to at least ‘fulfill all righteousness,’” he said.

He said the medical team eventually found him alive and proceeded with surgery to stop the internal bleeding caused by the accident.

“Then, against all expectations, they found me alive and proceeded with surgery to stop the internal bleeding caused by an accident near Asaba the night before.

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“The accident had already claimed the life of my driver,” he added.

Utomi said the experience had made July a month of thanksgiving for his family.

“July will always be a month of non-stop thanksgiving in my family,” he said.

The political economist also recalled another close encounter with death years later during the July 7, 2005, terrorist attacks on London’s transport system.

The attacks involved coordinated bombings on three London Underground trains and a double-decker bus, killing 52 civilians and four attackers and injuring hundreds of others.

Reflecting on both experiences, Utomi said they had reinforced his faith and gratitude to God.

“Looking back at it all, one thing is certain: if God is with you, you have everything.