16 Passengers die near Yamoransa

A motor accident near Akatakyiwa Junction, a farming community between Biriwa and Yamoransa on the Accra-Cape Coast highway, claimed the lives of 16 passengers last Saturday night.
The accident involved an Aveco articulated truck (GT 975-11), which was carrying empty Coca-Cola bottles from Takoradi to Accra, and a 14-seater Toyota Hiace minibus, with registration number GS 4513-12.

All the 15 people on board the Toyota Hiace, including the driver, died on the spot, while the driver of the articulated truck also passed away soon on arrival at the Cape Coast Regional Hospital.

The dead comprised eight females and eight males.

The only survivor, the driver’s mate on the articulated truck, did not sustain any external injury and is reported to be in a stable condition.

According to the Central Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ransford Moses Ninson, who is also the Chairman of the Central Regional Police Board (POMAB), the articulated truck ran head-on into the Toyota Hiace, which was travelling from Mankessim to Cape Coast.

At that time, the driver of the Toyota Hiace was attempting to overtake another vehicle.

“At a point between Yamoransa and Biriwa, the Toyota Hiace collided with the articulated truck,” Mr Ninson explained, and added, “The two vehicles were badly damaged.”

The 16 bodies have been deposited at the Central Regional Hospital morgue in Cape Coast.

Although the cause of the accident is still being investigated, Mr Ninson said speeding on the part of the Toyota Hiace driver might have caused the fatalities.

By Zadok Kwame Gyasi/Daily Graphic/Ghana