Tamale, June 5, GNA - Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister has visited the Tamale Teaching Hospital to sympathise with the victims of the accident, which occurred last Saturday when Mr John Mahama, running mate for Prof. John Atta Mills of National Democratic Congress visited the area.

The victims were on their way to meet the party's running mate, at the outskirts of Tamale on Saturday when the accident occurred. The Regional Minister also sympathised with the families of the victims and extended his condolences to the family of the late Ms Baba Suweiba 19, who died in the accident and has since been buried. Alhaji Idris presented bags of rice, sugar and quantities of Milo, cooking oil, bread and biscuits and GH¢500 to the families of the victims.

He commended the staff of the hospital for the prompt attention they gave to the injured and encouraged them to continue to render such services to save lives. The Regional Minister said to prevent similar accidents in future, the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) would soon meet to discuss the issue with the various political parties to educate their supporters to conduct themselves when welcoming their leaders. Dr. Ken Sagoe, Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital who conducted the Regional Minister and members of the Northern Regional Security Committee, (REGSEC) round the wards, said 14 of the victims were on admission with one in a critical condition. He said majority of the victims had severe head injuries and broken legs adding that, one of them was expected to have a leg amputated, whilst three whose conditions were critical had been referred to Accra.

The CEO thanked the Regional Minister for his gesture and assured him that the donation would be distributed directly among the families of the victims.