8 Die in Accra-Kumasi highway crash

Eight people died on the spot and two others seriously got injured when a Mercedes Sprinter bus ran into a stationary cargo truck on the Accra-Kumasi highway last Tuesday night.

The accident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. at Akyem Anyinasin in the Abuakwa South District in the Eastern Region.

The bus, which was travelling from Accra to Nkawkaw, was said to have lost control as a result of  brake failure and ran into the parked truck, resulting in the death of the eight people.

Among the dead were the drivers of the two vehicles.They are yet to be identified.

Eyewitness account

An eye witness told the Daily Graphic that the driver of the cargo truck, which was fully loaded, was repairing the vehicle following a mechanical fault.

It said the sprinter driver on top speed did not envisage any hazard ahead of him and ran into the truck.

The Sprinter driver and three of the 11 passengers in the bus as well as the driver of the truck died on the spot.

Three other injured passengers who were rushed to the Engresi Government Hospital also died upon arrival.

Two of the passengers were in critical condition.

Police worried

When reached by the Daily Graphic,  the Eastern Regional Police Public Relations  Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mr Ebenezer Tetteh, confirmed the accident and urged drivers to drive with care in order to avoid accidents.

He said the Accra-Kumasi highway was associated with speeding,  and therefore urged transport owners and drivers to take a serious view at the development.