A fatal road accident on the Asesewa-Abuosso road in the Upper Manya Krobo district of the Eastern Region involving members of the Methodist Church has resulted in the death of one person and left many others critically injured.
The victims, members of the Susana Wesley Mission Auxiliary Mission (SUWMA) in Prampram, were returning from a tourism trip to Boti Falls Friday evening when their bus, registered number GR 6056-N, collided head-on with an Opel Astra taxi cab upon reaching the Abuatsam community after an alleged brake failure.
The impact of the crash forced the bus, carrying 26 church members, off the road and into a nearby valley. One person was confirmed dead at the scene, while many others sustained severe injuries.
Emergency response efforts were severely hampered by poor road conditions and logistical challenges.
The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Asesewa Police Command could not access the scene with its patrol vehicle.
Additionally, the district’s designated ambulance was out of service due to engine failure, prompting an emergency arrangement for an ambulance from Koforidua to assist with referrals.
A survivor recounted how locals, including farmers and passersby, rushed to rescue the trapped victims.
She said the driver lost his way and used an unfamiliar route speeding but the brakepad started smelling which some occupants of the bus raised concerns however was ignored by the driver.
“We realised we had missed our way, but the driver insisted he knew the route since he often drives to Agormanya. He was speeding, so I even told him to slow down since the brakepad was smelling so all that I saw was that he collided into a taxi,” the survivor said.
Billy Paul, the Asesewa branch station master of the GPRTU, who visited the crash site, described harrowing scenes of devastation.
“Unless God intervenes, the woman with the wedding ring, who suffered severe facial and head injuries, may not survive,” he told the local media.
The medical team at the Asesewa Government Hospital were working around the clock to stabilise the injured victims.
