- Fatal accident on Kumasi-Accra highway kills one.
- Locals siphon diesel from tanker despite police efforts.
- Authorities struggle to clear accident scene.
- Investigation launched into the incident.
A devastating accident occurred on the Kumasi-Accra highway, near Ohene-Nkwanta, Konongo, on Saturday morning, resulting in the loss of one life and leaving several others injured. The accident involved a tanker truck carrying 36,000 liters of diesel, a Toyota Camry, and a VIP-branded bus. The collision was head-on and occurred around 7 am, claiming the life of the Toyota Camry’s driver on the spot.
The other occupant of the Toyota Camry and the driver of the tanker truck, along with his assistant, sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital for treatment. The tanker truck was transporting diesel from Accra to Kumasi when the accident occurred.
Despite the efforts of police and military officers, scores of community members converged on the accident scene, forcefully opened the compartments of the tanker truck, and began siphoning the diesel. The authorities struggled to control the situation, and the individuals continued to siphon the diesel, causing chaos at the scene.
The Ghana Police Service and the Ghana National Fire Service faced challenges in clearing the accident scene and removing the trapped bodies from the completely damaged Toyota Camry. The tanker truck and the wrecked Toyota Camry were eventually towed to the Konongo Divisional Police Command.
Asante Akim Central Municipal Fire Commander, D.O 3 Joseph Bryden, provided details of the incident to Citi News, stating, “There were three casualties, two injured and one reported dead. The Konongo fire team responded swiftly and was able to minimize carnage.”
Mohammed Zakaria, the owner of the tanker truck, expressed his dismay at the siphoning of the diesel, describing it as unfortunate. He was unable to quantify his losses immediately.
The accident caused significant disruption to traffic on the Kumasi-Accra highway, with vehicles diverting to alternative routes to avoid the scene. The authorities worked to restore order and ensure the safe removal of the vehicles and fuel.
The incident highlights the risks associated with accidents involving fuel-carrying vehicles and the potential for chaos and looting at accident scenes. The authorities are likely to increase security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing, and the authorities have urged witnesses to come forward with information to aid in the investigation.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety on the roads and the need for emergency services to be equipped to respond effectively to such incidents.
