What was meant to be a joyous trip turned tragic on the Asesewa-Abuosso road when a tourism bus carrying 26 members of the Susana Wesley Methodist Church from Prampram collided head-on with an Opel Astra on Friday evening.
The impact forced the bus off the road and into a valley, claiming one life and critically injuring many others.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in the Asesewa District confirmed the fatality, stating that several passengers sustained serious injuries.
An officer from the GNFS, who responded to the scene, reported that the precise number of passengers in the Opel Astra remains unknown.
Billy Paul, station master of the Asesewa branch of the GPRTU, who visited the crash site, shared fearful details.
“Unless God intervenes, the woman with the wedding ring, who suffered severe facial and head injuries, may not survive,” he told Kodwo Boafo.
According to reports, the coastal bus, with registration number GR 6056-N, was returning from Boti Falls and was headed towards Prampram when the collision occurred. The bus is believed to have lost its way into Abuatsam, a midpoint between the Upper Manya Krobo and Fanteakwa North Districts, before the fatal crash.
A survivor, speaking from the Asesewa Government Hospital to Trust FM’s Drive Time host Dr. Better, described how local farmers and passersby rushed to the scene to rescue passengers.
“We realized we had missed our way, but the driver insisted he knew the route since he frequently drives to Agormanya,” the survivor recounted.
Emergency response was severely hindered by the poor road conditions. The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Asesewa Police Command was unable to access the scene with its patrol vehicle.
Adding to the challenge, the designated ambulance for the area was out of service due to engine failure. Fortunately, an emergency arrangement was made for an ambulance from Koforidua to assist with referrals to the regional hospital.
As of now, medical personnel at the Asesewa Government Hospital are working tirelessly to stabilize the victims.
