A terrifying crash between a train and a Goil branded diesel tanker has led to the loss of over 4,500 litres of the petroleum products.
The incident happened on Wednesday around 9:00am at a container terminal in the Western Region capital, Takoradi, according to multiple media reports.
Emergency services which rushed to the scene found the mangled backside of heavy duty vehicle as reports say it veered off the railings after the impact.
Victims of the accident escaped unhurt. Driver of the fuel tanker, Abukari Mohammed told reporters that his vehicle engine had ceased just before the incident happened.
He said: “We saw the train coming with the back; attempts to stop it proved futile so I fled with my mate and the train crashed the tanker pushing it right from the way.”
Firefighters and the police had to disperse the large crowd to prevent any further disaster as onlookers attempted to collect spilled fuel.
Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service in the Western Region, DO3 Emmanuel Bonney, expressed concerns at the conduct of the residents who put their lives in jeopardy when such incidents occur.
“That was our biggest challenge; Even the police had to disperse them at a point but that was hectic. You could see women and children who defied social distancing protocols to siphon the fuel…so if it were to be an ignition all of them would have died,” the worried fire officer said.
At the time of filing this report the scene had been cleared for traffic.
By Jonathan Ofori, Daily Mail GH
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