Metro Mass accident claims six lives at Bechem

A head-on collision involving one of the new Metro Mass Transit (MMT) buses and a taxi cab at Boaso, near Bechem in the Brong Ahafo Region has left six people dead and 40 others injured.

The bus with registration number GS 2682 -17, which was travelling from Sunyani to Kumasi knocked and killed a mentally ill person at Boaso at about 7.00 pm on Wednesday.

In the process, the driver of the MMT bus lost control of the steering wheel and veered onto the lane of the incoming Opel Astra taxi cab with registration number AS 4666 – U.

After colliding head-on with the taxi cab, the MMT bus dragged the taxi into a valley and landed on it resulting in the instant death of the five occupants of the taxi.

The Bechem District Commander of Police, Superintendent Abraham Bansah told Graphic Online that it took several hours before personnel from the police and the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) were able lift the bus before the deceased were removed from the wreckage.

He explained that after lifting the bus, personnel from the GNFS had to cut through the mangled taxi cab before they were able to remove the dead bodies.

He said all the 40 occupants of the MMT bus sustained various injuries and were currently receiving treatment at the Bechem Government Hospital and the Duayaw-Nkwanta St John of God Catholic Hospital.

The police have since identified the deceased driver of the taxi-cab as Samuel Kojo Eshun, 30.

The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the Bechem Government Hospital.

Writer’s email: Emmanuel.gyamerah@graphic.com.gh