A fuel tanker driver has died after his vehicle overturned and caught fire at Adubinso in the Afigya Kwabre South Municipality of the Ashanti Region, leaving the community in shock.
The deceased, identified as Abass Toure, was reportedly en route from the Edwinase area toward Adubinso when the tragic incident occurred.
Eyewitness accounts suggest the tanker lost control while approaching a curve before veering off the road and overturning, immediately bursting into flames.
One witness, Owusu, described the moment of the crash, saying, “I saw the tanker driver trying to negotiate a curve but was suddenly crossed by another car. He then he lost control and then next thing I saw was the tanker flipped over into the roadside containers and ignited”.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) responded to the emergency after receiving a distress call at 12:05 p.m.
The first appliance from the Mamponteng Fire Station, led by STNO II Isaac Bissah, arrived at 1226 hours and, with support from Bremang firefighters, brought the fire under control at 1309 hours and fully extinguished it at 1327 hours.
Preliminary reports indicate that the fuel (petrol) tanker suffered brake failure while ascending a small hill. The detached bulk reportedly struck a low-tension utility pole, causing electrical cables to fall onto the tanker, which subsequently crashed and ignited.
The driver was trapped and died in the fire, while the driver’s mate sustained severe burns and was rushed to Tafo Government Hospital for treatment. The driver’s badly charred body was handed over to the Police and conveyed to St. Patrick Hospital morgue, Offinso, for preservation and autopsy. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the community.
Confirming the incident, the Mamponteng Fire Commander, DOII Akua Brago, said emergency teams worked quickly to bring the situation under control.
“We managed to extinguish the fire, but the driver was burnt to death. We have given the body to the Police. His Mate was severely burnt and was taken to the hospital. 7 metal containers were also burnt”
Beyond the loss of life, the fire also caused significant property damage, destroying seven container shops along the roadside. A Ford vehicle parked near a nearby residence was also consumed by the flames.
The body of the deceased is expected to be laid to rest in Adubinso according to Islamic burial rites.
The incident has left residents of Adubinso devastated, with many describing it as one of the most distressing accidents to hit the area in recent times.
