Tragedy on Kumasi-Accra Highway: 15 Saviour Church Members Perish in Fatal Crash

Atwedie, Ashanti Region – My News Ghana

A harrowing road traffic accident has claimed the lives of fifteen members of the Saviour Church of Ghana in what authorities are describing as one of the most devastating incidents on the Kumasi-Accra Highway in recent times.

The fatal crash occurred in the early hours of Tuesday near Atwedie, a town situated along the notoriously dangerous highway that has witnessed a string of high-fatality accidents in recent years. The victims, according to eyewitnesses, were travelling in a minibus back to their hometown after attending the church’s annual gathering in the Eastern Region.

Preliminary reports from emergency responders and police indicate that the minibus collided head-on with a fuel tanker. The force of the impact was so severe that all fifteen occupants of the minibus died instantly. Graphic images from the crash site showed the mangled wreckage of the vehicle, underscoring the violent nature of the collision.

Speaking to My News Ghana, a local resident who arrived at the scene shortly after the crash said, “It was horrifying. The minibus was completely crushed. There were no signs of life when we got there.”

Personnel from the Ghana Police Service and the National Ambulance Service arrived at the scene shortly after being alerted, but rescue efforts were limited to the retrieval of bodies. The driver of the fuel tanker survived the crash and is currently receiving medical treatment under police supervision as investigations commence.

The Ghana National Fire Service also responded to the scene to manage fuel spillage and reduce the risk of a potential fire outbreak due to the involvement of a petroleum tanker.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the deceased, pending official communication with the bereaved families. However, the church leadership has confirmed that the victims were active members returning from an important annual convention.

This incident adds to the growing list of fatal accidents on the Kumasi-Accra corridor, a stretch of road widely criticised for poor lighting, inadequate signage, speeding, and driver fatigue.

The Ghana Police Service has launched a full-scale investigation into the crash to determine its exact cause. Meanwhile, the National Road Safety Authority has renewed its call for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and a national review of safety standards on long-distance highways.

As the nation mourns this tragic loss, tributes have begun pouring in from across the country, with religious groups, local leaders, and civil society calling for urgent action to prevent such deadly occurrences in the future.

My News Ghana will provide further updates as more information becomes available

Source – My News Ghana