Truck Driver Arrested for Causing Train Accident on Tema-Mpakadan Railway Line

The Ghana Police Service has arrested the driver of a Hyundai truck with registration number GS 9018-20 for allegedly causing an accident involving a Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) train on the Tema-Mpakadan railway line on Thursday, April 18, 2024. The police's preliminary investigation has established that the suspect driver left the vehicle unattended on the railway line, leading to a collision with the train.

The incident occurred around 12:10 pm when the new DMU train, recently procured from Poland, was conducting a site acceptance test on the 97 km standard-gauge railroad. As the train approached a curve, it encountered the stationary truck right across the railway track. Despite the immediate application of the emergency braking system, the train was unable to stop completely before colliding with the vehicle.

Fortunately, there were no fatalities reported from the accident. However, the driver's cab section of the train suffered minor damage, and the truck was destroyed. The Ministry of Railways Development stated that the manufacturer of the train would bear the costs of repairs, as the train had not been formally handed over to the government of Ghana at the time of the incident.

Why this matters: The Tema-Mpakadan railway line is a crucial part of Ghana's infrastructure, facilitating the movement of goods and people along the Eastern corridor. The accident highlights the importance of road safety and the need for drivers to exercise caution when operating vehicles near railway tracks.

The CEO of the Railways Development Authority indicated that the train has been moved to the workshop for repairs. Meanwhile, the police are continuing their investigation into the incident, with the arrested truck driver assisting in the inquiry. The Tema-Mpakadan railway line, which is part of a planned 1000 km Ghana-Burkina Faso interconnectivity project, remains closed as authorities assess the damage and ensure the safety of the tracks.

Key Takeaways

• Ghana police arrested driver of truck that caused train crash on Tema-Mpakadan railway.
• Truck was left unattended on tracks, leading to collision with new DMU train during test.
• No fatalities, but train's driver cab and truck were damaged; train manufacturer to cover repairs.
• Tema-Mpakadan railway is crucial for Ghana's infrastructure; accident highlights need for road safety.
• Railway line remains closed as authorities assess damage and ensure track safety.