A tragic road accident at Third Ridge Junction has claimed the lives of two people, with five others sustaining various degrees of injury, highlighting ongoing concerns about road safety on one of Ghana’s busiest highways.
The Central Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service, ACFO1 Merinda Mary Atsigah-Mensah, has urged drivers to exercise greater caution, warning that indiscipline among road users continues to fuel the rising number of accidents across the country. She described the situation as both alarming and preventable, stressing the need for stricter adherence to road safety regulations.
According to reports, personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service Cape Coast Regional Headquarters responded promptly to a distress call and arrived at the scene to find a serious collision involving a Toyota Corolla (GW-5769-16) and a HOWO tipper truck (GN-1497-22). The impact of the crash left the Corolla driver trapped behind the steering wheel, requiring emergency extrication by firefighters.
The injured driver was rushed to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead on arrival. A second fatality was also confirmed at the scene, while five other victims were transported to the same hospital for treatment and further medical care.
Preliminary eyewitness accounts suggest that the Toyota Corolla was traveling from Cape Coast toward Accra when the driver noticed a pick-up vehicle dangerously overtaking and attempting to merge into the path of an oncoming tipper truck. In an effort to avoid a potential collision, the Corolla driver reportedly slowed down.
The tipper truck, which was moving in the opposite direction, is said to have swerved into the outer lane to avoid the overtaking vehicle. However, while attempting to return to its lane, the driver allegedly lost control, resulting in a devastating head-on collision with the Toyota Corolla.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the crash. Meanwhile, officials have reiterated the urgent need for drivers to comply with traffic regulations, avoid reckless overtaking, and remain vigilant on highways.
Road traffic accidents remain a major public safety concern in Ghana, ranking among the leading causes of death despite continued investments in road infrastructure, including highway expansion and dualisation projects. Safety experts warn that without improved driver discipline and enforcement of traffic laws, such incidents are likely to persist.
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