One of the mangled vehicles
One person has been critically injured following a horrific multiple-vehicle accident at Atafoa in the Bantama Constituency of the Ashanti Region, involving a Toyota Corolla, a charcoal truck, a Highlander and a tricycle.
The accident, which occurred after a head-on collision between a Toyota Corolla and a charcoal truck, left the vehicles badly damaged and brought traffic on the busy Atafoa stretch to a standstill.
The Toyota Corolla, with registration number ER 350-15, reportedly crashed head-on into the charcoal truck, registered 6796-V, which was loaded with charcoal.
Eyewitnesses said the Corolla driver was allegedly speeding and attempting a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre when he veered into the opposite lane and collided with the oncoming truck.
The devastating impact sent the vehicles crashing into others nearby, including a Highlander and a tricycle, leaving the tricycle and the other vehicles damaged.
The driver of the Corolla suffered serious injuries and became trapped in the mangled vehicle for several minutes.
He was eventually rescued by passers-by, who reportedly struggled to pull him out of the wreckage before rushing him to hospital. His condition was described as critical.
The accident also triggered a massive traffic gridlock, as the wreckage blocked the road, leaving motorists and commuters stranded for several hours.
Recurring Accidents
Two eyewitnesses, Mr. Morgan Annor and Mr. Alfred Agyei, expressed worry over the recurring accidents on the Atafoa stretch, insisting that the latest crash was not an isolated incident.
They blamed the frequent accidents on excessive speeding and the absence of speed ramps and adequate road signs to regulate motorists’ movements.
According to them, several lives had been lost and properties destroyed through previous accidents on the same stretch, but the authorities had failed to take concrete measures to address the situation.
They appealed to the Ghana Highway Authority, the Bantama Member of Parliament and the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to urgently install speed ramps and appropriate road signs to prevent further carnage.
The eyewitnesses also warned motorists against reckless driving, urging them to reduce their speed, particularly when approaching the Atafoa Junction, to avert further loss of lives and destruction of property.
 FROM David Afum, Tontokrom