A joint funeral service was held yesterday for the five female pupils of Assin Atobiase D/A Basic School in the Central Region who were killed by an articulated truck loaded with bags of cement a few weeks ago.

The five children, who were ran over by the truck, were buried after a brief solemn requiem service held for them. The burial service was held at the forecourt of the Assin South District Assembly in the Central Region.

DAILY GUIDE learnt that the bereaved families wept uncontrollably when the caskets were taken from the venue to the cemetery.

The deceased children are Vivian Okyere, 13; Emmanuella Nunoo, 13; Abigail Appiah, 15; Eva Okyere, 12 and Lydia Okyere, 12.

They were in primary five and six at Assin Atobiase D/A Basic School, according DSP Okyere Andam, Assin South District Police Commander.

The girls with some schoolmates had gone to watch their school team train for an upcoming game. Unfortunately, a truck fully loaded with cement bags developed a fault and the driver lost control.

The truck with registration number AS 8123-16 ran over them, killing five instantly. Only two survived with injuries.

The truck which was carrying about 850 bags of cement was moving from Takoradi to Kumasi when the unfortunate incident occurred. The bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Assin Fosu mortuary.

At yesterday’s burial service, opinion leaders and some dignitaries in the district were present to pay their last respects to the deceased children. Some rites were also observed to expunge the names of the five from the school’s register.

The Church of Pentecost in the district was said to have borne the cost of the coffins of the deceased persons. The church also donated money for the medical bills and cost of treatment of one of the injured who was said to be in a critical condition.