Five Seriously Injured as Brake Failure Causes Crash at Kumasi’s Asafo Labour Roundabout
Brake failure on a plantain-loaded Kia Rhino truck reportedly triggered the collision, leaving five people seriously injured and prompting a police investigation.
- Five people sustained critical injuries after a Kia Rhino truck collided with a commercial vehicle
- Eyewitnesses say the truck suffered brake failure while descending from the Amakom direction
- Police have launched investigations as all injured victims receive treatment at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital
At least five people sustained critical injuries after a Kia Rhino truck loaded with plantains collided with a commercial vehicle at the Asafo Labour Roundabout in Kumasi on Tuesday morning.
According to eyewitnesses, the truck suffered a brake failure while descending from the Amakom direction, causing the driver to lose control before crashing into the commercial vehicle, which was approaching the roundabout from the Kejetia direction.
An eyewitness, Yaw Gabriel, said the driver’s decision to swerve away from the main road likely prevented a far more devastating accident.
“If the truck had continued straight, it would have been a completely different situation because there was heavy traffic ahead. It could have crashed into several vehicles and caused multiple deaths,” he explained.
The impact of the collision left five occupants, including some security personnel, with serious injuries. They were rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for emergency medical treatment.
Residents and traders who witnessed the accident described the scene as one of the worst crashes they had ever seen at the roundabout.
One eyewitness recounted the rescue efforts, saying victims were trapped inside the commercial vehicle and crying for help.
“It was heartbreaking. We had to cut through the driver’s side of the vehicle before we could rescue the driver,” the witness said.
Personnel from the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) quickly arrived at the scene to control traffic, begin investigations and tow away the damaged vehicles to restore the free flow of traffic.
Confirming the incident, Manhyia MTTD Commander, DSP Docars Kyei Mensah, said all five victims were receiving treatment at the emergency centre of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
She disclosed that although the driver of the commercial vehicle was initially in critical condition, he has begun responding to treatment.
Police have since launched investigations to determine the exact cause of the crash.
Meanwhile, several women from Aboabo Market, who believed the victims were fellow traders returning from Asante Akyem with a consignment of plantains, gathered at the accident scene to recover the scattered produce.
The traders confirmed they knew some of the injured victims, describing them as colleagues from the market.
