Four eight-year-old schoolchildren have died, and three others sustained injuries after a van struck them at Aboabo in the Asokore Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The children, pupils of the School of Islamic Studies at Akotosu, were reportedly preparing to cross the road after classes on Tuesday when the Hyundai van veered off the road and hit them.
The four deceased have been identified as Juraid Mohammed, Anisah Ibrahim, Fati Muniru and Raiyan Faisal. They were pronounced dead on arrival at the Manhyia District Hospital.
Two of the injured children — Laila Muniru, 12, and Bushira Musapha, five — were reported to be in critical condition and referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for further treatment.
The third injured pupil, six-year-old Saisa Bila, was receiving treatment at the Manhyia District Hospital and was said to be in stable condition.
Eyewitnesses said the vehicle was travelling from the Aboabo Post Office area towards the Airport Roundabout when the driver reportedly lost control while descending a slope.
The van then veered onto the pavement, where the children were waiting to cross, striking all seven of them.
Officers from the Airport District Police Command responded to the scene, helped manage the crowd and cleared the road to allow traffic to resume.
The driver has been taken into police custody, while the damaged vehicle has been impounded as investigations continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The bodies of the four children were released to their families after identification, with burial arrangements being made in accordance with Islamic customs on Wednesday.
The tragedy has renewed concerns about the safety of children crossing busy roads, particularly around schools where pupils may have to share space with moving vehicles.
The headmaster of the School of Islamic Studies, Bawa Abdul-Rahman, has appealed to the Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly and other relevant authorities to construct a footbridge at the location.
He said such an intervention would help protect pedestrians and reduce the risk of similar incidents.
The police investigation is expected to establish how the van lost control and whether any further action is warranted.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
