Update: Kintampo Accident - Death toll hits 71: Regional Minister visits survivors

A medical doctor of the Kintampo Municipal Hospital has said the death toll in the Kintampo road carnage has risen to 71,. More passengers have lost their lives since news broke that 63 people including pregnant women, and children under 5 years had perished in the accident.

The accident occurred on the Kintampo-Tamale highway when a Metro Mass bus which had a faulty brake butted a Truck loaded with tomatoes which was traveling down south. Several other injured persons have been airlifted to hospitals in Techiman, Sunyani, and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi where they are receiving treatment.

Six injured persons who are in critical conditions have been sent to the Holy Family Hospital for treatment. They are said to have sustained series of fractures on their arm, and legs, with one having serious head injuries.The Kintampo Government hospital is reported to be facing serious logistic challenges. The hospital has one ambulance which can take two persons at a time, and is said to have shortage of oxygen hampering emergency treatments.

Some of the survivors said the Metro Mass bus driver recognized a brake problem and stopped to work on it. He then assured the passengers that the bus was in a good condition only to ram into the truck. The drivers of both vehicles died instantly. The Metro Mass Transit bus was said to have carried about 80 passengers instead of the maximum limit of 56 when it collided with the truck.

Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr. Eric Opoku, has led a delegation from the Flagstaff House, to the hospitals to have first-hand information of the tragedy. The delegation which includes Collins Dauda, Fiifi Kwetey, and the Inspector General of Police, as well as the Regional Minister have visited the accident scene, mortuary, and the Kintampo Regional hospital. They have also held discussions with nurses and the Medical Superintendent of the hospital.