One killed, others injured in Ghana football team bus crash

kwame

July 13, 2017 2:16 PM

Kumasi Asante Kotoko was hit with a tragedy after their team bus was involved in an accident when returning from a football game.

Ghana’s most successful football club was involved in a tragic accident leaving one dead

Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Ghana’s most football club had a terrible day on Thursday, July 13, 2017. The team lost their Ghana Premier League game to Inter Allies in Tema, a loss that places the club fourth on the league log with 35 points after 22 games.

The Ghanaian club in their return trip from Accra to Kumasi was involved in an accident as their team bus collided with a truck near Nkawkaw, a town in the Eastern Region of Ghana.

Thomas Kofi Obeng Asare, Kotoko’s Equipment Officer died in the road accident that has since seen the driver of the Kumasi-based club in a coma. Coach of the club, Steve Pollack, assistant coach Godwin Ablordey and the players received various degrees of injury.

Messages from Kumasi Asante Kotoko

The official Twitter account of Kumasi Asante Kotoko tweeted about the sad incident.

The Premier League Board Representative of Kotoko, Thomas Boakye-Agyemang confirmed the death of the Equipment Officer.

“Got three ambulances to rush the driver, Polack and Ablordey to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Okwahu United gave their bus to us so we sent the injured players to KATH too. Our Assistant Equipment Officer Kofi Asare is, however, gone,” Mr Boakye-Agyemang said.

Police Report

The Nkawkaw Divisional Police Commander, Superintendent Jeff Darko who is the lead investigator in the accident involving Kumasi Asante Kotoko has blamed the driver of the club for over speeding stating the incident could have been prevented if the driver had “driven with caution and at a reduced speed.”

He later admonished drivers on how to stay safe on the road.

"I will admonish drivers to exercise restraint, drive with caution, and reduce their speed,” Superintendent Jeff Darko said.

Solidarity

The President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo has sent his condolence to the team wishing them a speedy recovery.

President Akuffo-Addo tweeted:

Ghana’s president is a fan of the Kumasi-based club.

Asamoah Gyan, who is captain of the senior national team of Ghana, the Black Stars also sent a heartfelt message to the Ghana Premier League club tweeting:

Kotoko’s greatest rival club, Hearts of Oak showed their solidarity by changing the name on their official Twitter handle to #PrayForKOTOKO.

Ghana’s Division One Club Okwawu United offered their team bus to transport the injured players from the scene to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi as an act of support.

Another Division One team Phar Rangers has also promised to support Kumasi Asante Kotoko with 2000 Ghana Cedis ($450) to cover some of the debt incurred due to the accident.

kwame