A fuel tanker carrying approximately 45,000 litres of diesel overturned at Adubili Yili in Tamale, prompting an emergency response from firefighters.
The tanker driver and his mate were rescued by personnel from the Northern Regional Headquarters Sub-Station of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) following the incident.
The accident raised concerns over the potential risk of a fuel spill and possible fire outbreak due to the large quantity of diesel being transported by the tanker.
Firefighters responded to the scene to rescue the occupants and manage the situation, working to prevent further danger to residents, motorists and nearby property.
However, the emergency operation was complicated by another road accident at the scene.
While firefighters were attending to the overturned tanker, two buses reportedly collided, with one of them crashing into a parked fire appliance belonging to the responding team.
The impact caused damage to the appliance’s air system, potentially affecting its operational capacity at a time when firefighters were already dealing with a hazardous incident.
The incident highlights the risks emergency responders can face while working at accident scenes, particularly along busy roads where passing motorists may fail to exercise sufficient caution.
Road crashes involving fuel tankers can present serious safety concerns because of the potential for fuel leakage, ignition and secondary accidents. The presence of emergency vehicles and personnel at such scenes also requires motorists to slow down and exercise extreme care.
Fortunately, the tanker driver and his mate were rescued by firefighters following the overturning of the vehicle.
The circumstances surrounding the tanker accident and the subsequent collision involving the two buses were not immediately clear. It was also not immediately known whether anyone in the buses sustained injuries.
Authorities are expected to assess the extent of the damage and determine the circumstances that led to both incidents.
The accident serves as another reminder of the need for motorists to observe road safety measures, especially when approaching accident scenes where emergency responders are carrying out rescue and recovery operations.
With the tanker transporting such a significant quantity of diesel, the swift intervention of firefighters was crucial in managing the situation and reducing the risk of a potentially more serious incident.
Source: Thepressradio.com
