Posted by Chinenye on Fri 11th Sep, 2026 - tori.ng
Prof Pat Utomi has opened up about a terrifying experience that nearly cost him his life decades ago.
(Economist and political activist, Prof Pat Utomi. Photo by TheCable)
Political economist and former presidential candidate Prof Pat Utomi has shared the story of how he survived a near-fatal car crash 35 years ago when doctors at a hospital in Onitsha had given up on saving him.
Utomi said the accident happened near Asaba and killed his driver.
When he arrived at the hospital, the medical team had no pulse and no breathing from him.
They told the Chief of Surgery they had lost him.
But the surgeon refused to accept that.
He insisted on continuing efforts to try to save Utomi's life, determined to do everything possible.
The medical team then found Utomi alive and performed surgery to stop the internal bleeding from the crash.
Utomi said the experience made July a month of thanksgiving for his family every year.
He also recalled another brush with death years later during the July 2005 terrorist attacks on London's transport system, when coordinated bombings on Underground trains and a bus killed 52 civilians and four attackers and injured hundreds.
Looking back on both close calls with death, Utomi said they strengthened his faith in God.
He said if God is with you, you have everything.
He expressed gratitude to his Creator for sparing his life in both incidents.