Death toll in Birimso Bridge crash increases to 3

The death toll from Monday's multi vehicle crash at Birimso Bridge on the Accra–Kumasi Highway has increased to three after an 11-year-old girl died at Hawa Memorial Hospital on Monday evening.

The child was an occupant of the Kia Sorento, one of the five vehicles involved in the head on collision.

The Eastern Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, DOIII Aaron Ohemeng Adu, said preliminary investigations indicate that a wrongful overtaking attempt caused the crash.

"A fuel tanker transporting hydrocarbons from Kumasi to Accra attempted to overtake an STC bus travelling in the same direction. At the same time, the STC bus moved to the right side of the road, the tanker veered off its section and collided head on with the Kia Sorento. The impact forced the tanker off the road, causing it to plunge into a ditch at Birimso Bridge over the Birim River."

Accident
He added that, "A Mitsubishi pickup was also involved in the crash, but its driver escaped and abandoned the vehicle. All five vehicles were engulfed in flames after fuel from the tanker ignited. Two fuel tanks spilled their contents, with one falling into the Birim River and sparking a bushfire. Firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control and prevent it from spreading further."

The STC bus was burnt beyond recognition.

All passengers of the STC managed to escape before the fire engulfed the vehicle.

The Birimso Bridge stretch of the Accra–Kumasi Highway has recorded several serious crashes over the years, with excessive speed and dangerous overtaking frequently cited as major contributing factors.