One soldier has been confirmed dead and several others in critical condition after a military vehicle carrying soldiers on a mission was hit by a commercial truck loaded with foodstuff at Pong-Tamale on the Tamale – Bolga expressway in the Northern region.

Spokesperson for the Ghana Armed Forces in the region, Captain N. Asamoah confirmed the fatal crash and explained that the soldiers were deployed as reinforcement to Bawku in the Upper East region to maintain order as preparations were underway for the celebration of the Damba Festival by chiefs and people of the war-torn community.

The soldiers from the Bawah Barracks were then on their way on the official duty when the truck No. ER 1594- C loaded with foodstuff from Walewale veered off and plunged into the military vehicle which was carrying the soldiers.

The soldiers aboard the military vehicle No. 47GA were WO II Anokye Jackson, I/c Cpl. Fletcher, L /Cpl. E. Amoako, L/ Cpl. Sackitey Evans, L/Cpl.Kyeremeh Joseph, L/Cpl. Obeng Addo, Pte. Ngissah Richard, Pte. Adika Blessing, Pte. Ntim Joseph including the driver L/ Cpl. Ibrahim Alhassan.

All the soldiers including the suspected driver were initially found with various degrees of injury and were sent to the Savelugu Municipal Hospital, however, one of the officers died enroute.

They were referred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital where they are currently receiving treatment and the body of the deceased kept at the facility for autopsy.

Captain Asamoah said the injured officers are expected to be airlifted to the military hospital in the capital city for further treatment.

The cause of the crash is still under investigations and the family of the deceased hasn’t been informed yet.