Omanghana
A devastating head-on collision involving two cargo trucks on the Accra-Kumasi Highway at Asuboi has claimed the lives of two people and left two others seriously injured.
The crash occurred on the morning of Saturday, July 18, 2026, after a suspected tire blowout caused one of the heavy-duty vehicles to lose control and collide with an oncoming truck.
The accident has renewed concerns about road safety among commercial vehicle operators, particularly issues relating to vehicle maintenance, overloading, and speed management.
Tire Blowout Triggered Crash
According to preliminary reports, the accident involved a KIA Rhino cargo truck with registration number GX 857-16, which was travelling southbound from the Upper West Region toward Accra.
While approaching the Asuboi section of the highway, the truck reportedly suffered a sudden front tire burst.
The mechanical failure caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, forcing it to veer into the path of a Hyundai cargo truck bearing registration number GX 7359-14, which was travelling ahead.
The two vehicles then collided head-on with significant force.
Heavy Damage to Both Trucks
The impact left both cargo trucks severely damaged.
The front cabin of the Hyundai truck was crushed during the collision, while the front section of the KIA Rhino truck, including the affected tire assembly, was extensively destroyed.
The severity of the crash trapped occupants inside the mangled vehicle cabins, requiring immediate intervention from emergency responders.
Fire Service Conducts Rescue Operation
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) received a distress call about the accident at approximately 9:01 a.m.
A six-member rescue team from the Suhum Municipal Fire Station, led by Station Officer I Antwi Forson, arrived at the crash scene about ten minutes later.
Due to the extent of the damage, firefighters used specialized hydraulic rescue equipment, commonly referred to as the “jaws of life,” to cut through the wreckage and remove the trapped victims.
The rescue operation involved carefully dismantling sections of the damaged cabins to reach those trapped inside.
Two Confirmed Dead, Survivors Hospitalized
Emergency personnel confirmed that two victims died at the scene from injuries sustained during the collision.
The two surviving victims suffered serious injuries and were stabilized by the Ayensuano District Ambulance Service before being transported to the Suhum Government Hospital for emergency medical care.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the deceased and injured persons.
Police Begin Investigation
The Suhum Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service has commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Investigators are examining several factors, including whether:
- Vehicle overloading contributed to the severity of the accident.
- Excessive speed played a role.
- Proper vehicle maintenance procedures were followed before the journey.
The technical assessment is expected to determine whether the tire failure was the sole cause of the collision or whether other factors worsened the impact.
Road Safety Concerns Renewed
The fatal crash has once again highlighted the risks faced by motorists and passengers on Ghana’s major highways.
Transport authorities continue to urge commercial drivers, especially operators of heavy-duty vehicles, to conduct regular maintenance checks, monitor tire conditions, avoid overloading, and observe safe driving practices.
The Accra-Kumasi Highway remains one of Ghana’s busiest transport routes, carrying significant volumes of commercial traffic daily. Authorities have repeatedly stressed that improved road discipline and vehicle safety compliance are essential to reducing fatal accidents.
Source: Omanghana
