A cargo truck driver who was drunk beyond comprehension caused mayhem in Kumasi last Wednesday when he recklessly killed eight people and seriously injured five others at the Sofoline Interchange Bus Stop.
Isaac Essel, whose alcohol intake measured an incredible 400 on a breathalyser, instead of the acceptable level of 0.008, ran his DAF truck, which was fully loaded with alcoholic beverages, over six mini buses and one taxi.
Oblivious of the carnage he had caused, Essel continued driving until the police shot into the front tyres of the truck to stop him.
Not even the cries of the victims and shouts of eyewitnesses could stop him.
Essel, wearing a green T-shirt with the inscription “Alomo Bitters” on the chest, was driving the truck, with registration number CR 7413 F, from Abuakwa towards Kumasi.
The truck pulled one mini bus full of passengers for a distance of about 120 metres until the police fired shots to deflate the front tyres.
The Daily Graphic was welcomed by a gory sight when it visited the scene of the accident, as limbs and other human body parts mixed in blood were splashed on the road, while pedestrians and passengers wailed uncontrollably.
National Ambulance Service and the Ghana National Fire Service personnel had a hectic and tedious time removing the victims from the wreckage.
The police also had a hectic time directing traffic caused by both the accident vehicles and other vehicles whose drivers had abandoned them to catch a glimpse of the gory sight.
Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Suntreso MTTU Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police Mr Edward Jones Afritu, said Essel would be arraigned soon.
Public view
Drivers, pedestrians and sellers around the Sofoline Interchange attributed the accident to unapproved packing by trotro drivers in the middle of the road.
Ms Rebecca Bonsu, a mobile phone recharge card seller, who witnessed the accident, said although policemen were always stationed at the place to ward off recalcitrant drivers, the drivers swarmed the place.
A driver, Richard Afriyie, who witnessed a similar accident at the same spot last year, called on the authorities to expand the road.
Source: Graphic Online