A multi-vehicle crash occurred on Tuesday morning at the Sofoline Interchange flyover in Kumasi, Ghana, involving a mini-bus, a Toyota Corolla, and a motorised tricycle. The accident resulted in four people, including a one-and-a-half-year-old baby, sustaining serious injuries. The incident happened when the mini-bus, travelling from Goaso to Kejetia, experienced brake failure while descending the flyover.
According to the driver of the mini-bus, Kwabena Boahen, he had stepped on the brake and realised it had failed. He attempted to control the vehicle but was unable to do so, resulting in the bus crashing into the Toyota Corolla and the motorised tricycle ahead. The bus was carrying 13 passengers, but none of them sustained any injuries. Similarly, no one in the Toyota Corolla that was hit was injured.
An eyewitness reported that the motorised tricycle, known as a Pragia, was carrying four people at the time of the crash, including the driver and the baby. All four individuals sustained varying degrees of injury in the accident. The impact left all three vehicles badly damaged. Passersby and other motorists rushed the injured persons to a nearby Suntreso government hospital for emergency medical attention.
The crash caused a temporary gridlock on the busy Sofoline-Abuakwa stretch as the wreckage blocked part of the road. Personnel from the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) later arrived at the scene to control traffic and tow the accident vehicles, allowing for the free flow of traffic. The police have commenced investigations into the incident.
The MTTD recently revealed that over 900 people were killed in 9,000 preventable accidents in eight months. This incident highlights the need for road safety awareness and the importance of vehicle maintenance. The cause of the brake failure is yet to be determined.
The injured persons are receiving medical attention at the Suntreso government hospital. The baby, who is one and a half years old, is among those being treated for injuries sustained in the accident. The police are working to determine the cause of the accident and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The incident has raised concerns about road safety in Ghana, particularly in regards to vehicle maintenance and driver responsibility. The government and road safety authorities have been urged to take steps to prevent such accidents and to educate drivers on the importance of regular vehicle maintenance.
Key points
- Four people, including a one-and-a-half-year-old baby, were injured in a multi-vehicle crash at the Sofoline Interchange flyover in Kumasi.
- The accident occurred when the mini-bus experienced brake failure while descending the flyover, resulting in a collision with a Toyota Corolla and a motorised tricycle.
- The incident highlights the need for road safety awareness and the importance of vehicle maintenance.
