A government ambulance struck and ran over a woman near the finish line during the 11th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on February 14.
A viral video of the incident shows runners proceeding along a road before the ambulance approached from behind and hit the victim.
The clip has sparked widespread shock and concern on social media, with netizens questioning emergency vehicle protocols, crowd management, and driver response during the race.
The Lagos state government described the incident as “unfortunate.”
Gbenga Omotoso, commissioner for information and strategy in Lagos, said the ambulance part of the marathon’s medical emergency response team was transporting athletes who previously needed medical attention when the accident occurred near the medal collection zone.
He said the woman involved sustained bruises and reported chest pains but was stabilised at the scene, with vital signs remaining stable.
Omotoso confirmed she is currently receiving treatment and responding positively.
“Officials immediately alerted the ambulance crew to stop upon noticing the situation,” the statement reads.
“The emergency medical team promptly assessed and evacuated the affected individual for on-the-spot care before transferring her to a public health facility for further evaluation.”
The commissioner added that the Lagos state ministry of health and sports commission are closely monitoring the woman’s progress, with senior officials visiting the hospital where she remains “under professional supervision.”
A thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is underway.
