Two Students Killed, One ln Critical Condition After Tipper Truck Collision.

A somber atmosphere has descended upon the Mankessim and Ekumfi Obedan communities following a devastating road accident on Tuesday afternoon that claimed the lives of two final-year basic school students and left a third in critical condition.

The victims, all students preparing for their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), were walking along the shoulder of the timber market road shortly after concluding voluntary remedial classes.

Due to the ongoing teachers’ strike, dedicated educators had organized free extra lessons to ensure the students remained on track for their upcoming national exams.

As the students navigated the road, a tipper truck heavily laden with clay reportedly lost control and veered into them.

The impact was immediate and catastrophic. Two students, identified as 13-year-old Constant and 14-year-old Mary, tragically succumbed to their injuries—one at the scene and the other shortly after arrival at the Mankessim Roman Catholic Hospital.

A third student, 14-year-old Sarah Mbrem, sustained severe injuries and is currently fighting for her life under intensive medical care at the same facility.

Following the collision, local authorities acted swiftly.

The driver of the tipper truck was apprehended at the scene by bystanders and subsequently handed over to the Mankessim Police.

He is currently being held at the Mankessim Police Station, where he is assisting with investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash, including potential issues of excessive speed and mechanical failure.

The incident has ignited a wave of grief and anger within the Ekumfi Obedan area. Mr. Francis Aidoo, the Chairman of the Timber Market Association, expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families while issuing a stern warning to heavy-duty vehicle operators.

“This is a wake-up call for every stakeholder,” Mr. Aidoo stated.

He emphasized that the timber market road was never intended to handle high volumes of heavy, clay-loaded tipper trucks.

He noted that these vehicles have not only become a death trap for students and local residents but are also responsible for the rapid degradation of the road surface. Mr. Aidoo has formally called on the local assembly to restrict these trucks from utilizing the residential and school-proximate stretches of the market road to prevent further loss of life.

Mr. Alhasan Kalala, an eyewitness who was near the timber market at the time of the collision, described the harrowing scene.

According to his account, the truck appeared to be moving at a speed inappropriate for the narrow, busy road.

He recounted how the students had little chance to evade the vehicle once it veered off course, highlighting that the lack of pedestrian walkways on that particular stretch of road has long been a significant safety concern for parents and school administrators.

As the community mourns, stakeholders are meeting to discuss urgent measures, including the installation of speed ramps and signage, to prevent such a tragedy from recurring.

The Ghana Police Service has assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway and that the law will take its course regarding the driver’s actions.

By Douglas Oyiboh Amponsah.