The tragic accident that occurred at Winneba Junction on Monday has claimed more lives, as three of the injured schoolchildren have been confirmed dead, raising the death toll to four.
The victims were among seven pupils who were being transported in a Hyundai Jet taxi with registration number CR 748-20 from Winneba to Apam. The taxi collided head-on with a Toyota RAV4, registration number GN 5505-18, shortly after the junction on the Winneba–Mankessim highway.
The initial crash killed the taxi driver instantly. Nine others, including the schoolchildren, were rushed to the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital for treatment.
According to the Winneba Municipal Fire Commander, DO2 Fredrick Adu-Roku, three of the critically injured pupils passed away early Tuesday morning despite medical efforts to save them. The children were identified as students of St. Paul’s School and Uncle Rich Preparatory School, both located in Winneba.
DO2 Adu-Roku confirmed in an interview with Adom News that the accident occurred when the Toyota RAV4 attempted an overtaking manoeuvre, resulting in the fatal collision.
He emphasised that wrongful overtaking remains one of the major causes of road accidents in Ghana. “About 70 percent of road accidents recorded in the country are due to human error,” he said, urging drivers to obey road signs and traffic regulations to prevent needless deaths.
On the day of the incident, June 23, 2025, fire personnel from the Winneba Fire Station, led by STNO II Nyarko, arrived at the scene within minutes of receiving the distress call and extricated the lifeless body of the taxi driver from the mangled vehicle.
The Hyundai Jet taxi was completely destroyed, while the Toyota RAV4 sustained serious front-end damage.
An investigation is currently underway to determine the exact circumstances that led to the crash.