At least sixteen (16) passengers have died in a gory head-on collision between two VIP branded Kia Granbird Buses on the Akyem Asafo Stretch of the Accra to Kumasi Highway.
Dozens of passengers in critical condition are on admission at emergency wards at Suhum government Hospital and Akyem Asafo Health center.
The accident occurred Friday, February 26, 2021, at about 1:30am, according to Police.
Information gathered indicate that a driver in charge of a VIP branded Kia Granbird bus with registration number GT 5629-18 fully loaded with passengers from Accra towards Kumasi direction wrongfully overtook some vehicles ahead of him on reaching Akyem Asafo junction stretch of the road and in the process crashed head-on with another VIP Kia Granbird bus with registration number GE 5510-15.
Sixteen (16) passengers onboard both vehicles, comprising 13 males and 3 females died on the spot. The two drivers also died.
According to the acting Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command Sergeant Francis Gomado, the bodies were extricated and deposited at Suhum Government Hospital mortuary for preservation, identification, and an autopsy by a team of
Police, Ghana National Fire Service and Abundance Services from Suhum, Bunso, Kibi, and Ayensuano personnel were there to assist the Police.
The Eastern Regional Commander of the Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD)of the Ghana Police Service, Chief Superintendent Stephen Ahiatafu revealed last week that 60 people died in 44 days in the region through 45 road crashes.
“From January to 13th February we had 60 people killed in Eastern region, and Kibi Division is leading that on Nsawam to Suhum area. In all, we have 45 fatal accidents. With that 45 accidents, 60 people were killed. You will be startled to note that commercial vehicles killed 19, private vehicles killed 8, motorcycle/tricycle killed 20, and then the pedestrian knockdowns were 13 ” Superintendent Stephen Ahiatafu said.
Superintendent Ahiatafu indicated analysis by the MTTD shows that ” motorcycles and tricycles are killing more people than the vehicles and most of them didn’t have a license so we are going to embark on series of checks on them the public should not take it to us the police is harassing them. When we arrest you we will ensure that the law takes its course. I will like to emphasize that those who give vehicles to drivers without a license will also be charged”
According to him, most of the pedestrian knockdowns “were caused by unlicensed drivers and we have to sound a warning to the pedestrians also that when they are walking on the road they must take their security in their own hands. It is far better to face a vehicle than the car coming from your back. It is dangerous. So these pedestrian knockdowns can be avoided so let us see how we can protect our safety when we are walking on the streets because our roads are not pedestrian favorable so we have to take that protection.”
He said Police MTTD is going to embark on an operation to arrest unlicensed Okada and tricycle riders.
He also hinted that Police will clampdown on drivers driving unregistered vehicles in breach of the regulations.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
