Four schoolchildren have been killed, while three others have sustained serious injuries after a Hyundai van crashed into them at Aboabo in the Asokore Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The tragic accident occurred on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, when the seven pupils of the School of Islamic Studies at Akotosu were reportedly crossing the road after school.
The deceased have been identified as eight-year-olds Juraid Mohammed, Anisah Ibrahim, Fati Muniru and Raiyan Faisal. They were pronounced dead on arrival at the Manhyia District Hospital.
Three other pupils sustained injuries in the crash, with two of them reported to be in critical condition.
Laila Muniru, 12, and five-year-old Bushira Musapha were referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for further treatment due to the severity of their conditions.
Eyewitnesses said the Hyundai van was travelling from the Aboabo Post Office area towards the Airport Roundabout when the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle while descending a slope.
The vehicle reportedly veered onto the pavement, where the children were waiting to cross the road, hitting all seven pupils.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation, with the precise cause of the crash yet to be established.
Officers from the Airport District Police Command responded to the scene, helped maintain order and cleared the road to restore the free flow of traffic.
The driver has been taken into police custody, while the damaged Hyundai van has been impounded as investigations continue.
The bodies of the four deceased children have been released to their families following identification.
Burial arrangements are underway in accordance with Islamic customs, with the funerals scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
The deaths have left the affected families and the school community mourning the loss of the young pupils.
Following the tragedy, 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 accident scene.
He said the proposed intervention would help protect schoolchildren and other pedestrians who use the road, particularly those who need to cross it after school.
According to him, providing a safe crossing facility at the location is necessary to reduce the risk of similar accidents and prevent further loss of lives.
The appeal has drawn attention to pedestrian safety concerns at the location and the need for measures to protect children and other vulnerable road users.
The incident underscores the devastating consequences of road crashes involving pedestrians and the importance of effective road-safety measures, particularly around areas frequently used by schoolchildren.
As police investigations continue, attention is expected to focus on the circumstances that led to the crash and the safety measures that could help prevent a recurrence.
By 1960news.com
