A potential high-casualty accident on the Akatsi bypass was mitigated by the rapid deployment of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) on Friday evening, where a collision between a Hyundai Elantra and an Opel Astra (registered GT 6464-W) left four persons trapped.
The Akatsi Fire Station mobilised swiftly to the scene on the major artery, which connects vital transit routes in the Volta Region. The rescue operation successfully extricated three trapped individuals and secured the wreckage to prevent a secondary disaster.
The collision, which occurred during a busy traffic period, left both vehicles severely mangled, with the twisted wreckage briefly blocking the Akatsi bypass.
This presented a significant challenge for the emergency crew, who had to secure the volatile scene immediately.
Before the GNFS rescue crew arrived, one person, believed to be severely injured, had already been pulled from the wreckage by passersby and rushed to the Akatsi Municipal Hospital.
Firefighters quickly took command, utilising specialised extrication tools to reach the remaining occupants. The quick and professional action of the firefighters led to the successful removal of the final three trapped individuals. Following an assessment by paramedics at the scene, these remaining three persons were thankfully found uninjured.
The operation involved securing the accident scene to prevent further harm and included clearing the damaged vehicles from the road surface to avoid secondary accidents.
This manoeuvre was crucial for maintaining public safety and ensuring minimal disruption to regional commerce.
The GNFS team also successfully ensured smooth traffic flow was restored shortly after the wreckage was cleared.
In total, four persons were involved in the crash and successfully accounted for—one hospitalized and three safely rescued at the scene—underscoring the critical role of the Ghana National Fire Service in emergency road safety management.