Plane Crash, Road Accidents: Prof Delle recounts 18 near-death experiences

Renowned dermatologist and entrepreneur, Professor Edmund Nminyem Delle, has recounted surviving 18 accidents, including a plane crash at Kotoka International Airport now the (Accra International Airport) in 2000 and several road accidents during his years of providing medical care across Ghana.

Speaking in an interview with broadcaster Kafui Dey, Professor Delle attributed his survival to God's protection.

“I've had 18 accidents,” he said, recalling how he missed his intended flight after travelling to Bolgatanga to open a Rabito Clinic.

The former Chairman of the Convention People Party (CPP) said he had initially planned to travel by road but opted for air travel because of the condition of some roads. After missing his flight, he sought assistance from military personnel, who helped arrange alternative transport.

Before boarding the aircraft, he attended to an officer who had a skin problem. He was subsequently offered a seat, but another passenger, whom he described as a heavyweight champion, refused to give it up.

Professor Delle said he chose to sit elsewhere, recalling a biblical teaching about not taking the place of honour in case someone more distinguished arrived.

The passenger who occupied the seat he had initially been offered died when the aircraft crashed.

"... So, I said, ‘Okay, let me sit at the back.’ When we crashed, that man died on the seat I was on. He was the first to die. And so why can I not say that Christ is my man and Mary is my mother. It's one of the mysteries of my life,” he recounted.

Professor Delle said he escaped with relatively minor visible injuries despite the extent of the damage to the aircraft.

A nurse who knew him through his work at Rabito Clinic reportedly arranged for him to be taken to a military hospital.

He later travelled to Germany for further treatment, where he spent nearly six months recovering. He said he initially could not lift his arm but gradually regained his strength with assistance from his friend's wife.

“Within six months, I felt very well,” he recalled.

Professor Delle also recounted a serious road accident in Salaga during a campaign for his campaign as CPP Chairman

He said his driver swerved, causing the vehicle to leave the road and throw him into some trees.

Prof. Delle appeals to doctors to return to work

"We got to Salaga my driver swerved wrongly and not knowing the boy was hiding in smoking. So, he just went and cleared threw me into some trees and the whole car I was thrown out, and I was on the road like that with my rosary praying to God.

He recalled lying on the road with his rosary, praying to God, before people who recognised him through his work at Rabito Clinic took him to a nearby health facility.

"Some people coming and said this is Rabito man, so they took me to the nearest uh clinic", he recounted.

He said his son contacted Professor Mills, after which arrangements were made for an aircraft to transport him for further medical attention.

Another accident occurred near Kintampo after Professor Delle attended a Convention People's Party (CPP) rally.

He said he had asked his driver to stop about 30 minutes before reaching Kintampo to remove some heavy clothing he was wearing.

Shortly afterwards, an STC bus collided with their vehicle.

According to him, his driver sustained severe injuries to his legs, which were almost amputated, while he survived the crash.

". 30 minutes before we got to Kintampo, I asked the driver to stop. So, when the driver stopped, I removed those heavy clothes I was wearing, look, before we could say Jack, this STC came there and gave it to her. Bang. My driver at that time. I Know God is kind has been kind to me his legs were almost amputated but with prayers he was able to manage it", he recalled.

Professor Delle attributed the accidents partly to the extensive travelling he undertook to provide medical services across Ghana.

Despite these experiences, Professor Delle said he believes death is inevitable and people should not live in fear.

JKB/VPO

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