Two people have been confirmed dead while four others sustained injuries following a devastating multiple-vehicle collision involving a State Transport Company (STC) bus, a fuel tanker, a Mitsubishi pick-up and a Kia Sorento at Etukrom, near Bonsu Junction in the Eastern Region.
The tragic accident occurred on Monday, August 3, and triggered a massive fire that engulfed three of the vehicles involved. The STC bus, the fuel tanker and the Mitsubishi pick-up were completely burnt beyond recognition, while the Kia Sorento suffered extensive damage.
Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the Ghana Police Service, the National Ambulance Service and other emergency response agencies rushed to the scene to extinguish the fire, rescue victims and restore traffic along the busy highway.
According to emergency officials, six victims comprising four men and two women were initially rescued and transported to Hawa Memorial Hospital for emergency medical treatment. However, two of the injured later succumbed to their injuries, bringing the confirmed death toll to two. The identities of the deceased are yet to be officially released pending notification of their families.
Preliminary reports indicated that one of the fuel tankers veered off the road after the impact and plunged into a nearby river, highlighting the force of the collision.
Speaking to Citi News, a member of the Ghana National Fire Service Communications Team, Alex King Nartey, confirmed the incident and stated that firefighters and other emergency personnel were immediately deployed to the scene to contain the blaze, rescue trapped victims and secure the area.
Authorities have since brought the situation under control, while investigations have commenced to determine the exact cause of the crash.
The vehicles involved in the collision have been identified as:
- A fuel tanker;
- A Mitsubishi pick-up with registration number GE 8602-17;
- A Kia Sorento with registration number GT 8601-14; and
- An STC bus with registration number GS 7050-22.
The accident caused significant disruption to traffic as emergency responders worked tirelessly to clear the wreckage and ensure the safety of other road users.
The scale of destruction and the loss of lives make the incident one of the most serious road crashes recorded in the Eastern Region in recent months, once again raising concerns over road safety and the need for stricter adherence to traffic regulations.
Police have appealed to motorists to exercise caution while investigations continue. More information is expected to be released as officials complete their assessment of the crash and establish the circumstances leading to the fatal collision.
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