Three Dead, One Critically Injured in Early Morning Tipper Truck Crash on Apire–Hemang Road
A devastating road accident involving a heavily loaded tipper truck has claimed the lives of three people and left one person fighting for life on the Apire–Hemang stretch in the Atwima Kwanwoma Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The crash occurred in the early hours of Friday, March 20, around 5:00 a.m., when the tipper truck — registration number GC 3786-21 — reportedly suffered brake failure, lost control, and collided violently with two private vehicles.
The impacted vehicles were:
A private car with registration DV A5244
A Toyota Vitz with registration WT 1081-21
Three occupants died instantly from the force of the impact, while one survivor sustained severe injuries and remains in critical condition at a nearby hospital.
Heartbreaking Scenes at the Crash Site
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic and tragic scene, with some victims trapped in the mangled wreckage for several hours.
“Two people who were trapped in the car were crying out for help, but there was little we could do. Sadly, they died,” one eyewitness recounted.
Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service eventually arrived to extricate the trapped victims using cutting tools and rescue equipment.
The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the mortuary for identification and autopsy, while the injured person continues to receive emergency treatment.
Drivers Point to Brake Failure and Reckless Habits
A commercial driver who plies the route regularly, Francis Twumasi, attributed the tragedy directly to brake failure on the tipper truck.
“The truck lost its brakes, which led to this deadly accident. The situation was very terrible,” he said.
He went further to express growing concern about safety on the Apire–Hemang stretch, blaming some tipper truck operators for reckless and impatient driving.
“Driving on this road has become very risky. Some of these tipper truck drivers do not exercise patience,” Twumasi added.
The incident has reignited local calls for stricter enforcement of vehicle maintenance standards, particularly for heavy-duty trucks carrying sand and aggregates, which frequently use rural and semi-urban roads in the Ashanti Region.
Police from the Atwima Kwanwoma District have commenced investigations, including examination of the tipper truck’s mechanical condition, driver statements, and possible charges of causing death by dangerous driving.
Authorities have appealed to motorists to exercise caution, ensure regular vehicle checks — especially brakes — and avoid overloading or speeding.
This latest fatal crash adds to ongoing concerns about road safety in Ghana, where brake failure, overloading, and poor road conditions continue to claim lives on major and feeder routes.
