A fuel tanker driver, identified as Abass Toure, has been burnt to death after his tanker overturned and caught fire at Adubinso, a community in the Afigya Kwabre South Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
According to eyewitnesses who spoke to Akoma News, the deceased driver, a native of Adubinso, was driving from the Edwinase area towards Adubinso when he reportedly lost control of the tanker. In an attempt to park by the roadside, the vehicle overturned and immediately burst into flames.
The driver died instantly in the inferno, while his mate sustained severe burns and is currently in critical condition receiving treatment at a hospital.
“I saw the tanker driver trying to negotiate a curve but was suddenly crossed by another car. He then he lost control and then next thing I saw was the tanker flipped over into the roadside containers and ignited. The driver was trapped; he died instantly” Owusu an eyewitness recounted.
Confirming the incident, the Mamponteng Fire Commander, DOII Akua Brago, said the Ghana National Fire Service received a distress call at 12:05 p.m. and arrived at the scene at 12:25 p.m. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control and prevent it from spreading further.
She disclosed that aside from the death of the driver, seven container shops along the roadside were completely destroyed by the fire. A Ford vehicle parked in front of a nearby house was also burnt.
“We managed to extinguish the fire, but the driver was burnt to death. We have given the body to the Police. His Mate was severely burnt and was taken to the hospital. 7 metal containers were also burnt” DOIII Akua Brago said.
The body of Abass Toure is expected to be buried in Adubinso in accordance with Islamic traditions.
The tragic incident has thrown the entire Adubinso community into mourning as residents struggle to come to terms with the heartbreaking loss.
By Evans Nkum
