At least seven people have been killed in an accident on the Accra-Kumasi Highway at Obretema near Suhum early Saturday morning, officials have confirmed.
The crash involved a head-on collision between a VIP bus and a fuel tanker, resulting in the immediate deaths of five males and two females.
According to ADO 1 Alex King Nartey of the Ghana National Fire Service, the accident occurred around 4:30 am when the fuel tanker, which was travelling in the opposite direction, burst a tyre and veered off its lane, colliding with the oncoming VIP bus.
The VIP bus, with registration number GR 7632-24, was travelling from Tamale to Accra when it was struck by the tanker, which bore registration number UE 9644-22. The impact of the crash claimed seven lives on the spot. Emergency services reported that 31 people were injured and are currently receiving treatment at the Suhum Government Hospital.
“The driver and the mate of the tanker died on the spot, along with the driver of the VIP bus,” Nartey confirmed.
“Our men received the call at 4:38 am, and we rushed to the scene by 4:50 am. The fuel tanker was leaking, and unfortunately, some people around were siphoning fuel despite the danger. We had to caution the people for their safety”, he stated.
Crashes are common on highways in the West African country because of poor maintenance, disregard for traffic regulations, and bad roads.
An average of six people reportedly die daily on Ghana’s roads. In March 2020, 34, people died in a similar crash involving two buses on a road in the centre of the country.
Asaase
