Six dead, 34 rescued in separate road crashes in Volta Region -- GNFS

Six people have died while 34 others were rescued following multiple road traffic crashes in the Volta Region, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has said.

The crashes occurred on Sunday, June 21.

According to the GNFS, rescue teams from the Peki Fire Station and the Ho Regional Headquarters mounted emergency operations that led to the rescue of dozens of victims, although six people eventually lost their lives.

The service said rescue crews from the Peki Fire Station responded to two simultaneous crashes after receiving a distress call at about 12:53 p.m.

"STNO II Richard Amenyogbeli led the crew and arrived at the scene at 1303hrs and immediately deployed resources to both accident locations," the statement said.

One of the accidents involved a MAN Diesel TGS truck with registration number GT 9993-18 travelling from Tema to Tamale and a Toyota Camry with registration number GE 735-14 travelling from Nkwanta to Accra.

The GNFS said all five occupants, comprising four men and one woman, had already been rescued before firefighters arrived at the scene while both vehicles sustained partial damage.

The second crash involved a Metro Mass Transit bus with registration number AS 4984-09, which was travelling from Accra to Dambai with 28 passengers on board.

Rescue personnel extricated and rescued 24 victims made up of seven men and 17 women and conveyed them to the Peki Government Hospital for treatment.

However, four people, including one man and three women, died at the scene.

"The rescue crew successfully extricated and rescued 24 victims, comprising seven males and seventeen females, who were conveyed to the Peki Government Hospital for medical attention," the statement added.

In a separate incident at the Ho Civic Centre, personnel from the Ho Regional Headquarters responded to another crash involving a Hyundai Mighty truck, a Pragya tricycle and an unregistered motorbike.

Ten victims were rescued and transported to the Ho Municipal Hospital and the Ho Teaching Hospital for treatment.

The GNFS said follow-up checks at the hospitals later confirmed the deaths of two male victims, bringing the total death toll from the crashes to six.

The service said investigations are underway to determine the causes of the accidents.

It also urged motorists to obey road traffic regulations, avoid speeding and ensure regular maintenance of their vehicles to help reduce road crashes.