General News of Monday, 19 April 1999

Source: --

Four die in derailment at Obon

Accra (Greater Accra) 19 April

Four people are confirmed dead and others reportedly injured when a Takoradi - Accra Night Passenger Train derailed at Obon, in the Eastern region.

Officials of the Ghana Railway Corporation (GRC) could not readily say what had caused the accident and the number of persons who got hurt. At least two have been sent to the hospital, they confirmed, but the dead, three adults and a child are yet to be identified.

Mr. Divine Kwame Ablerdu, Acting Area Manager of the GRC said the bodies have been deposited at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Mortuary.

Information got to the station around 5am that the train run off the rails at about 4am. ''The flash of the news was that there has been a derailment. This sometimes happens and when it occurs, the station sends rescue train to clear the obstruction'', Mr Ablerdu said.

Top GRC officials have since left for the scene.