Intercity STC Coaches Limited has dismissed reports that passengers aboard one of its buses died in the devastating multi-vehicle crash on the Accra–Kumasi Highway, insisting that every passenger and crew member on board survived the incident.
In a public notice issued on Wednesday, August 5, the state transport company said misleading information circulated after the crash, including a widely shared interview attributed to the bus driver, wrongly suggested that only 10 passengers survived the accident.
According to STC, the claims do not reflect the true outcome of the incident.
“Intercity STC wishes to state categorically that this information is false and does not reflect the actual situation,” the company said.
The company confirmed that all passengers and crew members aboard the bus survived the crash, adding that those who sustained injuries received medical treatment and were discharged from hospital on Tuesday.
“We are pleased to confirm that all passengers and crew members on board survived the accident. The affected passengers received the necessary medical assistance and were all discharged yesterday,” the statement added.
The clarification follows widespread public concern after a horrific collision involving an STC passenger bus, a fuel tanker, a Mitsubishi pick-up and a Kia Sorento at the Birimso Bridge on the N6 Accra–Kumasi Highway in the Eastern Region on Monday, August 3.
The impact of the collision triggered a massive fire that engulfed the fuel tanker, the STC bus and the Mitsubishi pick-up, leaving the vehicles completely burnt, while the Kia Sorento sustained extensive fire damage.
Emergency personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service, Police and National Ambulance Service responded to the scene as authorities temporarily closed the highway and diverted traffic.
In the immediate aftermath of the accident, a video circulated on social media showing the visibly distressed STC driver claiming that the bus had been carrying 31 passengers and that only about 10 had managed to escape before the vehicle was consumed by flames.
The emotional account quickly fuelled reports across social media and some news platforms that dozens of passengers had died in the inferno.
STC has now rejected those claims, stressing that while the crash was serious, none of its passengers or crew members lost their lives.
The company noted that it is working closely with the relevant state agencies to establish the full circumstances surrounding the accident and pledged to provide verified updates when investigations are completed.
“The safety and well-being of our passengers and staff remain our highest priority. The Company is working closely with the relevant authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident and will provide further verified information, when necessary,” the statement said.
Although STC has confirmed the safety of everyone aboard its bus, investigations into the overall crash are still ongoing.
Authorities are expected to determine the exact cause of the collision, which caused severe disruption to traffic on one of Ghana’s busiest highways.
Police had earlier announced a complete blockade of the Accra–Kumasi Highway at Birimso Bridge following the crash and advised motorists to use alternative routes while emergency responders cleared the scene.
STC concluded by reassuring passengers and the travelling public of its commitment to maintaining high standards of safety, reliability and customer care across its nationwide operations.
CREDIT: MAVIS FANTEVI