Tragedy hit a family at Asuogya, a suburb of Nkawkaw, when three persons suffocated to death in fairy-tale-like circumstances over the weekend. The three were identified by police as Seth Morttu, 30,Salifu Kusasi, 50, and Kofi Kwakye,alias Carpenter, 35.

A source at the Nkawkaw Central police station told the Chronicle that on that fateful day ,one Cephas Morttu, landlord of House No. NJ 618 and father of Seth Morttu, contacted one Ernest Sakyi and the deceased Kofi Kwakye to pump out contaminated water from his concrete tank in his house with a Yamaha water pumping machine Police sources said the machine, which was tied against a ladder leaning against the inner wall of the tank, suddenly went off, prompting Kwakye to descend into the tank, which was by this time filled with smoke from the faulty water pumping machine, to find out the cause

According to the police ,when Kwakye failed to show up after a while Ernest Sakyi also descended into the tank which had then been filled with smoke and found Kwakye lying unconscious underneath the water

The source said Ernest shouted for help and Seth Muttor, who was then sitting on top the tank, also descended into the tank in a bid to rescue Kwakye. In the attempt to rescue Kwakye to the surface of the tank, Seth also fell into it.

When Ernest realised that he could not cope with the situation ,he came out of the tank and raised an alarm which ultimately drew Fire Service personnel to the scene to assist.

After frantic efforts the service personnel managed to bring out Cephas Muttor unconscious and rushed him to the Holy Family Hospital for treatment,while Kofi Kwakye,Seth Muttor and Salifu Kusasi were found dead.

Their bodies have been retrieved and conveyed to the Kwahu Government Hospital for autopsy.