Four vehicles collided at Tech Junction-Top High in the Oforikrom Municipality of the Ashanti Region on Sunday morning. The accident occurred after an ambulance with registration GV 554-24 allegedly attempted to force its way through a gridlock.
Chaos on the Roads
The incident happened around 7:15 a.m. during the rush hour, when the roads are usually congested. Eyewitnesses say the ambulance was heading on the Ejisu stretch with its siren blaring, but there was insufficient space to pass through the gridlock.
A Driver's Account
One of the drivers whose vehicle was affected said, "The ambulance was in a hurry and tried to pass through the middle. But the cars were already packed because of the red light. That's how it hit the first car and pushed it into the others." Another motorist at the scene said, "We heard the siren, but the cars were already packed because the traffic light was red. The ambulance should have used the other lane. We understand the urgency, but the road was blocked. You can't force your way and expect other drivers to just disappear."
Emergency Response
Speaking off-camera, the ambulance driver said he was conveying a patient to hospital in an emergency and had to navigate through traffic quickly. Following the crash, authorities called for a backup ambulance, which arrived to transport the patient to hospital. Personnel from the Adum Division of the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana National Fire Service arrived shortly after to manage traffic, document the incident, and assess the damage to the vehicles involved.
Aftermath
No deaths or injuries were recorded in the crash, according to eyewitnesses at the scene. All four vehicles had damage to their bumpers and fenders. The accident caused a brief traffic build-up along the Top High stretch as tow trucks worked to clear the vehicles.
Lessons Learned
The incident highlights the challenges of navigating through congested roads, especially during rush hour. It also raises questions about the use of sirens and the priority given to emergency vehicles in traffic situations. While the ambulance driver may have been in a hurry to reach the hospital, the risk of accidents increases when vehicles attempt to force their way through gridlocks.
The incident is now under investigation by the Ghana Police Service, and it remains to be seen whether the ambulance driver will face any charges. In the meantime, road users are advised to exercise caution and follow traffic rules to avoid accidents.
Source: Joy Online
