‘Pragya’ accident claims 5 lives

Five persons have been confirmed dead after a tricycle [rickshaw], popularly known as "Pragya", collided head-on with a Toyota RAV4 vehicle on the Sunyani-Berekum highway.

Three other occupants in the Pragya, who sustained life-threatening injuries, are battling for their lives at the Sunyani Teaching Hospital (STH).

The horrific accident occurred last Thursday around 10:05.p.m at a spot between Mantukwa and Dumasua in the Sunyani West Municipality in the Bono Region.

There were eight occupants, including the rider in the Pragya, with registration number M- 24-BR 1793, while the suspected driver, Jerry Ohene Acquah, was in charge of the Toyota RAV4 vehicle with registration number GE 6611-20, when the accident occurred.

The eight victims were rushed to the STH, but luck eluded the five as they were pronounced dead on arrival by Dr Alex Asamoah at the hospital's emergency ward.

The Toyota RAV4 was travelling from Ayakomaso towards Dumasua, while the Pragya was heading towards Ayakomaso when the accident occured at Mantukwa, near the Surprise Chop Bar.

The Daily Graphic gathered that the driver of the Toyota RAV4,  Acquah, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle fled the accident scene for fear of his life.

He was said to have taken the action to avoid a mob attack because several community members and other onlookers rushed to the accident scene.

However, the Bono Regional Public Relations Office (PRO) of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Gabriel Kwame Okyere, told the Daily Graphic that  Acquah later reported himself to the police in Sunyani.

He said he complained of chest and severe body pains and was issued a police medical report form to attend hospital.

Mr Okyere said efforts had been made to trace the relatives of the deceased and the suspected rider to assist police investigations.

Writer's email: biiya.ali@graphic.com.gh