General News of Friday, 20 March 2009

Source: GNA

11 die in accident

At least 11 people are dead following an accident involving a truck carrying liquefied petroleum gas near Winnba, just west of Ghana's capital city of Accra, on Wednesday night, police said.

They said several of the victims were burnt beyond recognition.

According to police accounts, the truck burst a tyre and ran int an oncoming car, forcing the gas tank to fall, splitting its content and catching fire.

A number of vehicles ran into the inferno, with tragic consequence.

Doctors said the death toll was sure to rise because of the degree of burns suffered by the victims.

GNA Version: Seven die in accident near Winneba Junction

Winneba (C/R), March 19, GNA - Seven people died, one on the spot and six others soon after admission at the Winneba Government Hospital from severe burns they sustained when a Gas Tanker and three other vehicles were involved in an accident near Gomoa Bewadze on Wednesday evening.

According to the Police a fully loaded Gas Tanker heading towards Takoradi had a head-on collision with an Opel Passenger vehicle, which was coming from the opposite side of the road, resulting in the two vehicles igniting. The police said two other vehicles that were following the Opel and the Tanker closely, were immediately caught by the fire and burnt beyond recognition.

According to the Police a total of 35 passengers from the affected vehicles were rushed to the Winneba Government hospital, but six died soon on admission at the hospital.

Meanwhile reports from the hospital indicate that people who received "deep and multiple burns" have been rushed to the Korle Bu Teaching and 37 Military Hospitals in Accra for further treatment. Four persons whose conditions are stable are receiving treatment at the Winneba Government hospital, while the unidentified bodies have been deposited at the mortuary of the same hospital. In another development the police said they have discovered three badly burnt bodies at the accident scene this morning and have deposited them at the Winneba Government Hospital mortuary. The police are investigating the cause of the accident.