Kumasi, Ghana - A terrible accident that occurred on the highway connecting Kumasi to Obuasi on Sunday has claimed 13 lives and injured several others, bringing into question the issue of road safety within the area. The incident occurred in the early morning when a commercial bus ran into a heavy-duty truck.
Eyewitnesses say the bus was travelling from Kumasi to Obuasi and attempting to overtake another vehicle when it veered into the path of the oncoming truck. The impact was powerful, causing the bus to veer off the road and somersault. Rescue teams from the National Ambulance Service, supported by police in the area, rushed people trapped in the mangled remains of the bus.
Of those, police said 13 people were pronounced dead at the scene, while over 20 others were injured with various degrees of injury. The injured persons were rushed to different hospitals for urgent medical treatment. The latest reports say several victims are still in critical condition.
Local district chief executives and the officials responsible for managing the roads have consoled the families of the deceased, reiterating the call for increased road safety measures along the Kumasi-Obuasi corridor. "This tragic incident makes it very urgent that there should be stricter enforcement of traffic regulations pertaining to commercial vehicles," a regional transport authority spokesperson said.
The Kumasi-Obuasi highway has gained notoriety for its heavy traffic flow and resultant series of accidents in recent years; improvements in road infrastructure and driver education have been sought. Leaders are calling for increased awareness campaigns against reckless driving, particularly among long-distance drivers who usually face fatigue.
As investigations into what caused the accident continue, the Ghana Police Service urged motorists to be vigilant and observe speed limits, particularly during peak periods of travel. The road safety crisis in Ghana remains a pressing issue as too many lives are lost each year in accidents that can easily be prevented.
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