In a tragic incident on the Accra-Tema motorway, a driver was found dead just meters away from his submerged Honda Fit, registered GR 1254-22. The vehicle was swept away by floodwaters near a bridge during a heavy downpour on Saturday, but the car and the driver’s body were only discovered on Tuesday afternoon.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), police, National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), and bystanders worked together to retrieve the vehicle. Nana-Mintah Nanor, the second-in-command at the Tema Motorway Fire Station, detailed the incident to Joy News. He explained that the GNFS was notified around midday on Tuesday, several days after the flood occurred.
“A dispatch rider, who witnessed the incident, rushed to the station and informed us about the car being washed away by floodwaters into the drain of the bridge, less than 100 meters from Nutrifoods,” Nanor explained, as quoted by myjoyonline.com. The rider had initially tried to rescue the driver but was unsuccessful and subsequently informed the police. Despite rescue efforts, the car could not be located in the water.
On Tuesday, the dispatch rider noticed a crowd gathered around the area, pointing at the submerged car, which was identifiable only by its antenna. Responding to an emergency call at 11:50 am, the Tema Motorway fire team arrived at the scene by 12:05 pm.
“I immediately informed a police commander. Our men quickly got into the water, tied ropes to the car, and helped tow it to where it was visible, but there was no occupant,” Nanor said. The police and the NRSA then used a towing vehicle to move the car to a nearby yard.
The driver’s whereabouts remained unknown until his body was found meters away from the car. Nanor emphasized the severe risks drivers face during heavy rains and cautioned against driving on flooded roads. “With the nature of our roads, you don’t take the risk of driving on flooded roads. Do not be deceived that you have control over the steering wheel; you could be washed away. If there is a need to wait until all flooded areas are clear before moving, please do so because life is too precious to be wasted this way. Please respect this safety protocol,” he warned.
He also raised concerns about the lack of guardrails or barriers along the motorway stretch, which could help prevent such tragic incidents in the future. This incident on the Accra-Tema motorway highlights the dangers posed by extreme weather conditions and the importance of road safety measures. Concerted efforts must be made to address the vulnerabilities exposed by such events, ensuring that adequate safeguards are in place to protect lives and prevent further loss. Additionally, while the incident emphasizes the need for enhanced infrastructure by authorities, it equally calls for heightened awareness among motorists.
