At least five children and several adults have been referred to advanced hospitals in Koforidua and Tema following Friday evening’s horrific road crash near Abuatsam on the Asesewa-Abuosso road, which left nearly 50 church excursionists from Prampram injured, some with devastating trauma including degloving head wounds, fractures, and facial damage.
Medical authorities at the Asesewa Government Hospital say over 10 severely injured victims of the crash, involving a church bus returning from Boti Falls, have been transferred to St. Joseph Hospital in Koforidua and Tema General Hospital in the Greater Accra Region for advanced care.
The Medical Superintendent, Dr. Theodore Dorvlo, confirmed that about 10 of the victims are children, with five of them in critical condition.
“We are seeing cases involving fractures in the upper arm, leg, and serious facial trauma. Some adults also sustained spinal injuries, head trauma, and in some cases, degloving injuries where the skin is torn off the skull,” Dr. Dorvlo revealed.
This latest update follows the earlier crash involving a Prampram-based church group members of the Susana Wesley Methodist Church, whose bus collided with an Opel Astra and plunged into a valley near Abuatsam, midway between the Upper Manya Krobo and Fanteakwa North districts. One person was confirmed dead at the scene, with dozens rushed to the Asesewa Government Hospital.
As the hospital struggled to manage the surge in emergency cases, Dr. Dorvlo said a coordinated effort through WhatsApp messages and phone calls helped mobilize critical staff who were off-duty due to an ongoing health workers’ strike.
“The strike did not affect us much in this case. The severity of the situation drew everyone in; they responded and did remarkably well.”
Despite the medical team’s efforts, the hospital faced challenges, including breaches of patient privacy.
Dr. Dorvlo criticized the behavior of some community members and patients, noting that several injured persons fled the facility after receiving basic care.
“Some victims simply vanished, possibly over fears of medical bills. Also, townspeople stormed the Emergency Ward, even pushing close to patients during treatment. It’s unacceptable and violates patients’ right to privacy.”
Health workers remain on high alert as the full impact of the accident unfolds.
