One trapped, 18 injured in Tema-Akosombo bus crash
The Kpong Fire Station of the Ghana National Fire Service has rescued one passenger trapped in a road accident that left 18 other people injured on the Tema–Akosombo Highway.
The accident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at Adele-Kpoe, after service personnel received a distress call.
According to a statement from the Eastern Regional Public Relations Office of the GNFS, a Mercedes-Benz bus with registration number AS 427-09 was traveling from northern Ghana to Ashaiman when it suffered a burst front tyre. The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road and somersaulted several times before coming to a stop.
Firefighters who arrived at the scene swiftly cut through the wreckage to extricate the trapped victim. The 18 other passengers who sustained various degrees of injuries were also attended to at the scene before being conveyed to the Akuse Government Hospital for treatment.
Eyewitnesses at Adele-Kpoe said the bus was speeding when the tyre burst, causing panic among passengers. Some of them described moments of chaos as luggage and passengers were thrown about inside the vehicle.
“We heard a loud bang and then the bus started swerving. Before we realized it, we were rolling,” one survivor, who did not want to be named, recounted from her hospital bed.
The Eastern Regional PRO of GNFS commended the personnel of the Kpong Fire Station for their prompt response, which he said helped to save lives. He also urged commercial drivers to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on long journeys, especially on highways.
“Tyre bursts are a major cause of road accidents in this country. Drivers must check their tyres, avoid overloading, and adhere to speed limits,” he cautioned.
The Tema–Akosombo Highway has in recent years recorded several fatal accidents, with over-speeding, wrongful overtaking and mechanical faults often cited as causes.
Road safety experts have repeatedly called for increased patrols and public education to reduce crashes on the stretch, which links Accra to the Eastern and Volta Regions and serves as a major route for cargo and passenger traffic.
Meanwhile, hospital authorities at Akuse Government Hospital confirmed that all 18 victims were receiving treatment and were in stable condition as of Thursday evening. Some were treated and discharged, while others remained on admission for further observation.
The GNFS has reiterated its commitment to responding swiftly to emergencies and has advised the public to call emergency numbers immediately in the event of an accident to enable timely rescue.
The accident comes at a time when the National Road Safety Authority is intensifying campaigns to reduce road traffic crashes ahead of the festive season. Authorities say driver education, vehicle inspection and enforcement of traffic regulations remain key to saving lives on Ghana’s roads.
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