James Abiwon, a 29-year-old Nigerian sales executive, died after a tree fell onto his moving car in north London during Storm Boelo. He was on a phone call with his girlfriend, Aali Harvey, discussing plans for his upcoming 30th birthday when the crash occurred.
Fatal crash on Dollis Road
Abiwon was driving along Dollis Road in Mill Hill, north London, on Sunday, October 25, when the tree crushed his vehicle. Police, firefighters, paramedics and an air ambulance attended the scene at around 12:30 p.m. Despite their efforts, Abiwon was pronounced dead at the scene.
His girlfriend, Aali Harvey, told the Mirror that they had been discussing a padel tournament he was organising to celebrate his upcoming birthday when she heard a loud crash. "He was talking about the padel event coming up for his birthday; he was mid-sentence, then I heard a sudden crash," she recalled. Harvey said she subsequently heard him asking for help, with Abiwon reportedly saying: "Help me, I'm bleeding."
Friends remember a talented young man
Abiwon's friend, Kwame Affum, told Metro that they had played padel together just two days before the accident. Affum, who had known him since they were 13, described him as someone full of energy and talent. "He was going to celebrate his 30th birthday in two weeks. It just seems impossible this has happened," he said.
Abiwon was a technology sales executive who had recently been named Business Development Representative of the Year at his company. He also graduated from the University of Essex with a first-class degree and played semi-professional football with Aldershot. Beyond his professional career and education, he pursued music, reportedly attracting around 40,000 views on YouTube.
Tournament to go ahead in his memory
The tournament Abiwon had planned will now go ahead in his memory, with proceeds expected to support his family, according to tributes and details reported after his death. His cousin, Tyrrell Okolo, described him as a "master of everything", recalling his talents and the many people he mentored.
For Affum, the sudden loss remains difficult to comprehend, particularly because they had spent time together only days earlier. "I'm trying hard to get my head around this. I played padel with him just on Friday," he said. The Metropolitan Police are working with the local authority and coroner to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
