A taxi driver narrowly escaped death on Tuesday in Accra after a big tree fell on his cab as he was driving along the Ring Road in front of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).
The tree was said to have fallen onto the road as a result of the heavy downpour that hit the metropolis.
The taxi driver, simply referred to as Appiah by one of his colleague, was reportedly conveying three passengers – all Liberians – from Circle to Osu when the incident occurred upon reaching the GBC Second Gate.
He reportedly sustained serious injuries and was taken to the emergency unit of the Ridge Hospital for medical attention, DAILY GUIDE gathered.
The other three passengers onboard the Daewoo Matiz taxi with registration number GR 2261-15, accordingly suffered minor injuries and were taken to the same facility for medical care.
There was heavy vehicular traffic along that stretch of the road as the tree lay across the entire road, rendering it impassable.
Drivers plying that route had a difficult time trying to make U-turns to get onto the other stretch of the road.
Police personnel from the Nima Motor Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU) were seen busily trying to direct traffic and get the tree cleared off the road.
There were three tow cars standing by to transport the damaged vehicles from the scene and also to help transport the trees.
William Darkum – who is himself a taxi driver and whose taxi also got damaged by the tree, narrated the incident to DAILY GUIDE, saying it happened at about 12:00 noon.
He said it occurred as they were approaching the GBC Second Gate bus stop where the tree suddenly fell onto the road, damaging their cars.
His taxi was slightly damaged but that of the injured driver suffered severe damage. At the time DAILY GUIDE arrived at the scene, it was being pulled from under the tree.
The Nima MTTU Divisional Commander, ASP Hajia Sa-Ada Mohammed, told DAILY GUIDE at the scene that the police were doing everything possible to get the tree cleared off the road the same day.
She advised motorists to be conscious whilst driving during the rainy season.
ASP Hajia Mohammed said even though it was normal for trees to fall onto roads during rainy seasons, accidents of such kind could be avoided if drivers were mindful of impending danger.
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