One person dies in rail accident

Accra, Dec. 2, GNA - One person died while three others sustained injuries when a coach derailed at Amasaman a couple of weeks ago, Mr Jonathan Sam, Area Manager of the Ghana Railway Company Limited, said on Thursday. He said Mr Seth Zibli, a 54-year old ex-worker of the company who was believed to be hanging on the first class coach was found dead two days after workers had gone to the scene to work on the coach. Mr Sam said the injured that were rushed to the hospital had since been treated and discharged. These came to light when Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, Minister of Harbours and Railways, visited the scene and inspected rehabilitation works being carried out on 25.5-kilometre Amasaman-Nsawam railway line.

Mr Sam said the Company had so far completed work on 22.5 kilometres and expressed the hope that the remaining portion would be completed very soon. Mr Sam, who took the Minister round, said the Company had so far replaced 1,000 weak sleepers to ensure smooth running of the coaches. The Company suspended its services from Amasaman to Nsawam for a week because of the rehabilitation. Mr Sam said the Company had since last Monday began offering services to the travelling public and promised better services. He expressed regret that some persons refused to pay the fares and preferred to hang on the coaches.

On the derailment, Mr Sam said a committee of enquiry had been set up to investigate it saying the Company would adhere to the committee's findings and recommendations to avoid further occurrences. Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi, who extended his tour to Adjen Kotoku, near Nsawam, expressed his satisfaction with the work carried out by the Company and urged them to tidy up their various stations. He indicated that an Indian company was expected in the country to commence the manufacturing of concrete sleepers, which were far cheaper and more durable. The Minister observed that metal sleepers were expensive and the species of trees used to replace them had become scarce.