The Motor Transport and Traffic Department of the Ghana Police in Suhum has launched an investigation into a tragic accident that claimed the lives of seven people at Obretema, near Suhum, on the Accra-Kumasi Highway.
The accident occurred in the early hours of Saturday at around 4:30 am, when a VIP bus with registration number GR 7632-24, traveling from Tamale to Accra, collided with a fuel tanker registered UE 9644-22.
The crash resulted in the immediate death of five males and two females on board the bus, who perished at the scene. According to preliminary reports, the bus was struck by the fuel tanker when the tanker veered off its lane from the opposite direction, leading to a devastating collision.
Both vehicles somersaulted upon impact, causing the drivers to lose control, and the bus eventually landed in a ditch. The horrific accident left the vehicles mangled, creating a chaotic scene on the highway.
The Ghana Police Service and the Ghana National Fire Service quickly arrived at the site, assisting in the evacuation of survivors and retrieving the bodies of those who had died. The bodies were later transported to the Suhum Government Hospital for preservation, awaiting identification.
In addition to the emergency response by the police and fire services, the National Ambulance Service also played a crucial role, helping to transport several injured passengers to the hospital for medical attention. However, the exact number of those injured remains unknown.
Speaking on behalf of the Suhum Fire Service Command, ADO1 Opare Akonnor provided details of the rescue effort. “We received a call from the police at 043hrs informing us of the accident. Our team was dispatched immediately to the scene to assist,” he said. “We managed to rescue several individuals, but the total number of those rescued is still being determined. It was a nighttime incident, which complicated our efforts.” The survivors were handed over to the National Ambulance Service for treatment at the hospital.
Witnesses who arrived at the scene shortly after the accident shared their accounts with the media, describing the chaos and devastation caused by the crash. One witness recounted the sound of the collision and how people quickly gathered to offer assistance before the emergency services arrived.
Meanwhile, the police are urging members of the public who are expecting family members traveling along the Accra-Kumasi route to visit the Suhum Government Hospital for identification purposes. The accident has left many families in shock as they await confirmation of their loved ones’ status.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the accident, and police are working with other relevant authorities to ensure the necessary steps are taken to avoid similar incidents in the future. The tragic event highlights the ongoing dangers on Ghana’s highways and reinforces the need for increased road safety measures.
As part of the ongoing investigation, officials are also looking into the condition of the vehicles involved, particularly the fuel tanker, which veered off its lane. The driver of the tanker is yet to be identified, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The accident caused significant traffic disruptions along the stretch of the highway where it occurred. Passersby and motorists were seen helping the police to control the situation, with the towing of the wrecked vehicles being a top priority to restore normal traffic flow.
This latest incident adds to the growing number of road accidents in Ghana, raising concerns over the safety of long-distance travel in the country. In recent years, the Accra-Kumasi Highway has gained notoriety for accidents, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and better road maintenance. Both the government and the police have reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety of travelers, but incidents like this serve as a reminder of the risks that remain on Ghana’s major highways.
With investigations continuing, the Ghanaian public is looking to authorities for swift action to prevent future accidents.
