Five perish in Nkawkaw accident

Five persons are reported dead in an accident which occurred at Abepotia on the Nkawkaw-Kumasi Highway.

Fifty-three others are said to have suffered various degrees of injury.

Officials of the Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service explained that a Neoplan vehicle with registration number GM 4150-14 traveling from Accra to Walewale in the Upper West Region veered off its lane after jumping a speed ramp and crashed into a Daf petrol tanker with registration number GR 4100-M.

Three died on the spot while two were pronounced dead at the Nkawkaw Holy Family Hospital, where the victims were rushed to.

Medical Superintendent at the Hospital Dr Bernard Nii Torgbor explained that he injured are responding to treatment but nine including a pregnant woman who are in critical condition, have been transferred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for treatment.

The Nkawkaw MTTD Station Officer, Chief Inspector Joseph Amakye suspected the driver of the Neoplan bus to be speeding.

The Eastern Region Minister, Mavis Frempong, who chanced on the accident commended the hospital staff and the National Ambulance Service for their quick response.

She advised drivers to adhere to road regulations and driving rules.

Most of the victims are said to be Moslems travelling to the north for the start of Ramadan.