A/R: Four killed, three injured as van crashes into schoolchildren

Four schoolchildren have died, while three others have been injured, after a Hyundai van crashed into them at Aboabo in the Asokore Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

The deceased, identified as Juraid Mohammed, Anisah Ibrahim, Fati Muniru and Raiyan Faisal, were all eight years old. They were pronounced dead on arrival at the Manhyia District Hospital.

Two of the injured children, 12-year-old Laila Muniru and five-year-old Bushira Musapha, are in critical condition and have been referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for further treatment. The seventh victim, six-year-old Saisa Bila, is in stable condition and receiving treatment at the Manhyia District Hospital.

The children, who were all pupils of the School of Islamic Studies at Akotosu, were reportedly crossing the road after school on Tuesday when the accident occurred.

According to eyewitnesses, the van was travelling from the Aboabo Post Office area towards the Airport Roundabout when it reportedly lost control while descending a slope. The vehicle veered onto the pavement, where the children were waiting to cross, and struck them.

Officers from the Airport District Police Command responded to the scene, helped maintain order and cleared the road to allow traffic to flow.

The driver is currently in police custody, while the damaged vehicle has been impounded as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The bodies of the four children have been released to their families following identification, with burial arrangements scheduled for Wednesday in accordance with Islamic customs.

The headmaster of the School of Islamic Studies, Bawa Abdul-Rahman, has appealed to the Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly and other relevant authorities to urgently construct a footbridge at the location to help prevent similar accidents.

The post A/R: Four killed, three injured as van crashes into schoolchildren appeared first on The Ghana Report.