A police pickup transporting several suspected cannabis users has collided with a commercial passenger vehicle at a busy intersection on the campus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, leaving several people injured.
The collision occurred at the KNUST traffic light along the route leading to Ayeduase, where the police vehicle reportedly crashed into the commercial vehicle while negotiating the intersection.
According to preliminary accounts, the police pickup, bearing registration number GP 1035, was conveying approximately seven individuals who had allegedly been arrested during a police operation over suspected cannabis use.
The vehicle was reportedly taking the suspects to the police station when it became involved in the collision with a commercial minibus, commonly referred to as a trotro, bearing registration number AS 37 55 22.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the police pickup was travelling at considerable speed with its siren activated as it approached the intersection.
The witnesses further alleged that the traffic signal had turned green in favour of the trotro when the police vehicle entered the intersection, resulting in the two vehicles colliding.
The impact reportedly injured a number of people, including some of the suspected cannabis users being transported by the police, police personnel travelling in the pickup and passengers aboard the commercial vehicle.
The injured individuals were subsequently conveyed to the KNUST Hospital, where they received medical attention.
An eyewitness said one of the police officers suffered serious injuries during the crash and collapsed at the scene before assistance was provided.
“One police officer sustained serious injuries and collapsed at the scene, but was quickly picked up by the KNUST patrol vehicles and taken to hospital to save his life. No one died,” the eyewitness said.
There have been no reports of fatalities in connection with the incident, although the extent of injuries sustained by those involved remains subject to further assessment.
The crash temporarily disrupted vehicular movement across the university campus, resulting in significant congestion around the intersection and along the road leading towards Ayeduase.
The situation was subsequently brought under control after other police officers arrived at the location and helped remove the damaged vehicles from the roadway, thereby allowing traffic to resume.
Authorities are expected to establish the precise circumstances surrounding the collision, including the speed of the police vehicle, the operation of its emergency siren and the traffic signal at the time the two vehicles entered the intersection.
