Volta Regional Minister visits survivors of Peki-Tsame crash
Mr James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, has expressed deep concern over the fatal road crash at Peki-Tsame near Peki Senior High School on the Peki–Asikuma Highway, which occurred early Tuesday and claimed 15 lives while leaving 25 others injured.
The accident involved a 33-seater Mercedes-Benz passenger bus, registration number GR 3215-E, and a Mercedes-Benz container truck, registration number WR 1553-C.
The passenger bus was travelling from Battor in the North Tongu District to Kabiti in the Oti Region, while the truck was en route from Nkwanta to Accra.
Preliminary reports indicate that 40 people were involved in the crash. Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service successfully rescued and extricated 25 injured victims from the wreckage, including two babies whose mothers tragically died in the accident.
The deceased, made up of nine males and six females, have been deposited at the Peki Government Hospital mortuary, while the injured are receiving treatment at the same facility. Some critically injured victims are expected to be referred to Ho Teaching Hospital for specialised care.
Mr Gunu, visibly distressed by the tragedy, visited the injured survivors at Peki Government Hospital on Tuesday evening. He was received by Dr Daniel Okyere Koranteng, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, and interacted with health officials to assess the condition of the victims.
The Minister conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Following the hospital visit, Mr Gunu paid a courtesy call on Torgbui Deiga Kwadzo Dei XII, Paramount Chief of the Peki Traditional Area, in response to concerns previously raised by the traditional ruler over the increasing number of fatal accidents along the Peki stretch of the highway.
Discussions during the meeting focused on road safety concerns and the need for urgent interventions to reduce accidents on the corridor.
Mr Gunu described the loss of lives, particularly the deaths of the mothers of the two surviving babies, as heartbreaking and called for a collective effort by all stakeholders to improve road safety in the region.
The cause of the accident has yet to be established as investigations by the relevant authorities continue.
GNA