One of the collapsed billboards
A driver in charge of an Opel Cadet saloon car escaped death by a whisker after he was trapped in his car by a billboard last Thursday.
The incident happened at Afful Nkwanta in Kumasi after a rainstorm which was accompanied by strong winds hit the city.
The driver was said to be in the moving car with two other female passengers when the mishap struck around 8:00pm.
So fierce was the wind that it suddenly blew off the huge billboard and trapped the vehicle, sending people running for cover.
The two female passengers, who were seated at the back, were able to leave the car with the help of some onlookers who had rushed to the scene.
Unfortunately, the billboard landed on where the driver was seated, so he (driver) got trapped in the process as he cried out loud for help.
After attempts to get him out of the car proved futile, a distressed call was made to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFA), who rushed to the place to save him.
Eyewitnesses narrated that parts of the vehicle were cut in order to create an opening before the injured driver could be rescued and sent to the hospital for medical attention.
In a related development, the strong winds that hit Kumasi on Thursday evening also caused damages to several items, including vehicles and buildings.
The winds sent metal containers, roofing sheets, huge trees and billboards flying in the air. Some major roads in the city were closed to traffic after trees had fallen in the roads.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr.,
Kumasi