Big Esther Dies Alongside Sister in Fatal Crash Weeks After Tweeting About Her Fear of Death

Nigerian social media users have been thrown into mourning following reports that popular influencer and chef Esther Meinzide, widely known as Big Esther, died alongside her sister in a fatal road accident in Ogun State.

The tragedy has attracted widespread attention, particularly after an earlier post attributed to the influencer resurfaced online. In the post, she reportedly expressed her fear of dying in a road accident, prompting emotional reactions from followers who have struggled to come to terms with the circumstances surrounding her death.

Reports published on 7 and 8 October 2026 identified Big Esther as one of nine people who reportedly lost their lives in the crash. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) was cited in media reports as confirming that the accident involved a commercial passenger vehicle and a truck.

What Happened in the Fatal Accident?

According to media reports, the crash occurred along the Ijebu-Ode–Ore Expressway in Ogun State, around the Bethel area. Big Esther was reportedly travelling towards Delta State with her sister when the accident happened.

Preliminary information attributed to the FRSC indicated that a commercial Toyota Hiace bus and a Sino truck were involved in the collision. The crash reportedly claimed nine lives, comprising three males and six females.

The reports also indicated that the road was wet following rainfall, while excessive speed was identified as a possible contributing factor in the preliminary findings.

However, the precise sequence of events leading to the collision, the respective actions of the drivers and the full findings of any official investigation should not be assumed without a detailed report from the relevant authorities.

The deaths of the passengers have once again drawn attention to the dangers associated with road travel, particularly on busy highways where commercial vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, poor weather conditions and excessive speed can combine to create dangerous situations.

Who Was Big Esther?

Esther Meinzide, popularly known as Big Esther, was a Nigerian social media influencer and aspiring culinary personality who was gaining recognition through her online activities.

She was known on X, formerly Twitter, by the handle @BigEsther30. Her interest in cooking and her growing social media presence helped her attract an audience among Nigerian internet users.

Reports also described her as a recent Philosophy graduate of Delta State University, Abraka. Her death has therefore been particularly painful for followers who had watched her build her public profile and pursue her interests.

The reported death of her sister in the same accident has added to the grief surrounding the incident, leaving family members, friends and followers to mourn two lives lost in one tragedy.

As tributes continue to emerge, the incident serves as a reminder that people whose lives are familiar to online audiences also have families, personal ambitions and relationships that extend far beyond social media.

Old Tweet About Her Fear of Death Resurfaces

One of the most striking aspects of the tragedy is the resurfacing of a social media post reportedly made by Big Esther weeks before the accident.

According to reports, she had expressed a desire for a peaceful death and indicated that dying in a road accident was something she feared.

The post has since generated emotional reactions, with some social media users describing the coincidence between her reported fear and the circumstances of her death as deeply unsettling.

For many of her followers, the development has made an already painful story even more difficult to process. Some have reflected on the uncertainty of life, while others have used the incident to encourage people to cherish their loved ones and avoid taking life for granted.

Nevertheless, an earlier statement expressing fear of a particular event does not establish that the person predicted their death. The resurfaced post should be understood within its proper context rather than treated as proof of supernatural foresight.

The timing and authenticity of the post should also be verified against the original account before its contents are presented as definitively established facts.

Social Media Users Mourn the Influencer

News of Big Esther’s reported death has prompted an outpouring of grief on social media, with users expressing shock and sadness over the loss of the influencer and her sister.

Some reactions have focused on how quickly circumstances can change, while others have remembered Esther for her online interactions and her encouragement of people who followed her activities.

The tragedy has also renewed conversations about the fragility of life and the importance of road safety. For followers who had recently seen her online, the news has been especially difficult to reconcile with their memories of her.

As with other widely shared reports of sudden deaths, it is important to distinguish between confirmed information and claims circulating through social media. The identities of victims, the circumstances of an accident and details about a person’s final moments should be reported with care and respect for grieving relatives.

Road Safety Lessons From the Tragedy

Beyond the personal loss, the reported accident highlights the continuing risks faced by road users across Nigeria.

The Ijebu-Ode–Ore Expressway serves motorists travelling between different parts of the country. Like other major highways, it requires careful driving, particularly during rainfall, when wet surfaces can reduce tyre grip and increase stopping distances.

Drivers of passenger vehicles and heavy-duty trucks have a responsibility to maintain safe speeds, keep appropriate distances and exercise caution when visibility or road conditions deteriorate.

Passengers can also take practical precautions by using seat belts where available, choosing reputable transport operators and reporting visibly dangerous driving when it is safe to do so.

Authorities, meanwhile, have an important role in enforcing traffic regulations, investigating fatal crashes and communicating their findings to the public. Where an accident claims multiple lives, a transparent investigation can help establish what happened and identify measures that may prevent similar incidents.

No single safety measure can eliminate every road risk, but responsible driving, effective enforcement and improved public awareness can reduce avoidable deaths.

A Tragedy That Extends Beyond Social Media

Big Esther’s reported death alongside her sister is a reminder of the human cost of road accidents. Behind every casualty figure are individuals with families, friendships, hopes and plans for the future.

Although the resurfaced tweet has attracted considerable attention, the central issue remains the loss of lives in a devastating collision. The families of the victims deserve compassion, privacy and accurate information as they come to terms with their loss.

The incident should also encourage Nigerians to take road safety seriously, especially during rainy weather and long-distance journeys.

As tributes continue, Big Esther and her sister will be remembered by their loved ones, while the reported loss of nine people in one crash underscores the urgent need for safer roads and responsible driving.

Akahi News extends its condolences to the families and loved ones of all those reportedly killed in the accident.

Editorial note: This report is based on published media accounts. Details attributed to the FRSC and the resurfaced social media post should be checked against original official and account records as further verified information becomes available.