Adanma Luke, a prominent movie producer, has finally addressed the tragic boat accident that occurred during the filming of her latest movie in Delta State. The devastating incident resulted in the loss of popular Nollywood actor, John Paul Odonwodo, and four others.
In a video shared on her Instagram handle over the weekend, Mrs. Luke revealed that the death of Junior Pope could have been prevented if he had worn a life jacket during the boat ride. She explained that while the director and the Director of Photography (D.O.P) were wearing life jackets, Junior Pope refused to use one, resulting in the tragic outcome.
According to Mrs. Luke, the crew members who had life jackets managed to survive the accident, while Junior Pope, who was without one, did not make it. She recounted how Junior Pope was trying to survive in the water and was even thrown a gallon to hold onto, but unfortunately, he disappeared.
Although Mrs. Luke did not confirm whether the other crew members who lost their lives had life jackets, it is clear that safety measures need to be strictly adhered to in such situations. The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) reported that out of the 12 individuals on the boat, seven were rescued, two were found dead, including Mr. Odonwodo, and three others are still missing.
In response to the tragic incident, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) declared a ‘No Shoot Day’ for all Nollywood filmmakers and suspended movie production involving riverine areas indefinitely. The production of the movie that led to the accident, ‘The Other Side of Life’, has also been suspended until further notice.
Authorities in Anambra State have initiated an investigation to determine if there is any criminal liability in the deaths of John Pope and the other crew members. This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols during movie productions, especially when working near water bodies.
