Soldiers in fatal crash at Pong-Tamale

One soldier has been confirmed dead and several others in critical condition after a military vehicle carrying soldiers on a mission was hit by a commercial truck loaded with foodstuff at Pong-Tamale on the Tamale-Bolga expressway in the Northern Region.

Speaking to journalists, Spokesperson for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in the region, Captain N. Asamoah, confirmed the fatal crash.

He explained that the soldiers were deployed as reinforcement to Bawku in the Upper East Region to maintain law and order as preparations were underway for the celebration of the Damba Festival by chiefs and people of the war-torn community.

“The soldiers from the Bawah Barracks were on their way to an official duty when the truck No: ER 1594- C, loaded with foodstuff from Walewale, veered off and plunged into the military vehicle which was carrying the soldiers,” he narrated.

The soldiers aboard the military vehicle No. 47GA, according to him, were; WO II Anokye Jackson, I/c Cpl. Fletcher, L /Cpl. E. Amoako, L/ Cpl. Sackitey Evans, L/Cpl. Kyeremeh Joseph, L/Cpl. Obeng Addo, Pte. Ngissah Richard, Pte. Adika Blessing, Pte. Ntim Joseph including the driver, L/ Cpl. Ibrahim Alhassan.

All the soldiers including the suspected driver, he said, were initially found with various degrees of injury and were sent to the Savelugu Municipal Hospital.

He said, unfortunately, one of the officers died en route.

“They were referred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital where they are currently receiving treatment and the body of the deceased has been kept at the facility for autopsy,” Capt. Asamoah said.

He said the injured officers were expected to be airlifted to the military hospital in the capital city for further treatment.

The cause of the crash, he indicated, was still under investigations.