Seven die in VIP bus, fuel tanker collision on Accra-Kumasi highway

The Suhum Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service has initiated investigations into a fatal crash that left seven people dead after a VIP bus and a fuel tanker collided on the Accra-Kumasi Highway near Akyem Apedwa on the Accra-Kumasi Highway in the Suhum Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The incident occurred around 4.30 am on Saturday, 21 September 2024.

The accident involved a VIP bus with registration number GR 7632-24, travelling from Tamale to Accra, and a fuel tanker with registration number UE 9644-22.

Initial reports suggest the fuel tanker veered off its lane, crashing into the oncoming bus and causing both vehicles to overturn.

The impact resulted in the immediate death of seven passengers, five males and two females.

Several others sustained injuries and were quickly transported to the Suhum Government Hospital for medical care.

Emergency teams, including personnel from the Ghana Police Service, the National Ambulance Service, and the Ghana National Fire Service, responded swiftly to the scene to assist with the evacuation and retrieval of the bodies.

Speaking to the media, ADO1 Opare Akonnor, spokesperson for the Suhum Fire Service, said: “We received a distress call from the police around 0430 hours regarding an accident between a VIP bus and a fuel tanker.

“Our team arrived at the scene promptly and managed to rescue several people, though we are still verifying the exact number.”

Eyewitnesses described the scene as horrific, with both vehicles severely damaged and traffic on the highway disrupted.

Police officers, aided by passersby, helped manage the traffic and organized towing trucks to remove the wreckage from the road.

The police are calling on families expecting loved ones to visit the Suhum Government Hospital for identification of the deceased.

Investigations are ongoing to uncover the exact cause of the accident.

-classfmonline