GENERAL NEWS
Detailed account of how fatal presidential convoy accident happened – Police report
The incident according to the report sighted by MyNewsGh.com, occurred on 19th May 2024, at about 4.00 pm when the suspect driver Kwesi Attah aged 50 now deceased, was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle which was part of the presidential convoy from Kumasi to Accra direction with ASP Yaw Baah, Corporal Janet Boadu both of the Ghana Police Service and Flight Sergeant Pannah Martina, a military officer, all of Jubilee House on board.
On reaching a section of the road at Anyinasin near Akim Apedwa along the Kumasi – Accra Road, suspect driver Akwasi Atta overtook a tanker truck ahead of him and suddenly collided head-on with a Kia Rhino truck with registration number GE 2985-15 driven by suspect driver, Richard Yeboah.
As a result of the accident, the two vehicles were damaged. Suspect driver Akwasi Atta, ASP Yaw Baah, Corporal Janet Boadu and Flight Sergeant Pannah Martina together with Suspect driver Richard Yeboah and the mate Felix Baah sustained various degrees of injuries.
Suspect driver Kwasi Atta, ASP Yaw Baah, Corporal Janet Boadu and Flight Sergeant Pannah Martina were rushed to Suhum Government Hospital for treatment but suspect driver Kwesi Attah died shortly on arrival.
Subsequently, suspect drivers Richard Yeboah and Felix Baah were rushed to Saviour Hawa Memorial Hospital at Anyinasin and have been admitted and responding to treatment.
Corporal Janet Boadu and Flight Sergeant Pannah Martina, whose conditions were critical, have since been flown to the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) by Helicopter for further treatment.
ASP Yaw Baah, whose condition was not critical, has also been referred to UGMC via ambulance for further treatment while the body of the deceased has been conveyed to the 37 military hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
Gory scenes as presidential convoy crashes
The crash was first reported on social media in the late afternoon of Sunday, May 19, 2024.
Accra-based UTV, one of the first outlets to report the incident added a video showing a massive wreck.
The caption of their post read: “President Akufo-Addo’s convoy has been allegedly involved in a tragic accident at Bunso Junction, Eastern Region.
“According to reports, the convoy was crossed by a KIA Rhino truck, resulting in a collision that claimed the life of one individual and left others seriously injured.”
The report has since been confirmed by a statement from The Jubilee House signed by Eugene Arhin, the Director of Communications.
The release titled: “PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO’S CONVOY INVOLVED IN FATAL ACCIDENT ON ACCRA-KUMASI HIGHWAY,” gave more details into the incident.
Among other things, it confirmed the site of incident stating: “several vehicles belonging to the President’s convoy were involved in a fatal accident along the Bunso-Akyem Asafo stretch of the Accra-Kumasi Highway.”
“Tragically, one of the drivers, Mr. Kwesi Atta, has lost his life. Additionally, several close protection and police officers from the President’s security detail have sustained varying degrees of injuries, and received initial treatment at the Suhum Government Hospital.
“The injured persons are currently being evacuated to the University of Ghana Medical Centre for further treatment and observation,” the statement disclosed.
Whereabouts of president:
According to the statement, “the convoy was on its way back from Kumasi, after accompanying the President to Kumasi for a series of events this weekend.
“Fortunately, the President is safe and unharmed, as he travelled to Accra via military aircraft.”
Read the full statement below: