The driver of a Honda Fit with registration number GR1254-22 which was submerged near a bridge on the Accra-Tema Expressway was found dead metres away from the vehicle on Tuesday afternoon.
The vehicle was recovered thanks to the efforts of personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the Police, the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and passers-by.
Tema Expressway Fire Station Deputy Chief Nana Minta Nanol told JoyNews that the tragic incident occurred amid heavy rains last Saturday but was only called to the station on Tuesday around noon.
“A delivery man who witnessed the accident rushed to the police station and informed us that the car had been swept away by floodwaters into a drainage ditch on a bridge, less than 100 metres from Nutrifoods,” Nanol recalled.
Ryder said he initially tried to rescue the driver but was unsuccessful, then called police, after rescuers gave up after failing to find the car in the water.
But on Tuesday, riders noticed a crowd gathered around the area, pointing out a submerged car that could only be identified by its antenna.
Responding to an emergency call at about 11.50am, fire crews from Tema Expressway arrived at the scene by 12.05pm.
“I immediately notified the police chief and our men immediately went into the water, tied a rope to the car and helped tow it to a visible area, but there was no one inside the car,” Nanol explained.
Police and the National Highway Safety Administration also assisted with moving the car, using a tow truck, to a nearby parking lot.
There was no information at the time regarding the whereabouts of the driver, who was eventually found deceased a few metres from the vehicle.
Nanol highlighted the dangers faced by drivers during heavy rains, warning that “due to the nature of the roads, there is no risk of driving on flooded roads.”
“Do not make the mistake of thinking you have control over the steering wheel – you could be swept away. If you need to wait to move until all flooded areas are cleared, do so. Lives are too precious to waste. Please respect these safety procedures.”
He also expressed concern about the lack of guard rails or fencing in that section to prevent vehicles from falling off the road.
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