Ghana’s newly imported train from Poland, a Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) 001, has been involved in an unfortunate accident during its first test run on the Tema-Mpakadan railway line.
The train collided with an abandoned truck that was unconventionally parked on the tracks, despite the immediate activation of the emergency braking system.
The crash resulted in minor damage to the train’s cabin area but no injuries to the train driver, railway inspectors, or passengers were reported.
Ghana’s Railways Ministry released a statement detailing the incident, which it says occurred at approximately 12:10 pm on Thursday, April 18.
According to the statement, the incident took place when the DMU train encountered a stationary vehicle obstructing the tracks at Km76+100 as it approached a curve.
“Despite the immediate application of the emergency braking system, the train was unable to come to a complete stop before colliding with the vehicle,” read the statement.
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Furthermore, the Ministry clarified that there was no one in the vehicle at the time of the incident and that the location where the truck was left was not designated as an authorized level crossing,
“The incident has been promptly reported to the Police, and investigations are currently underway to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident. The DMU involved has been moved to the Workshop for further assessment and necessary repairs,” police reported.
Police arrest the car driver/owner
Following the incident driver of the vehicle has since been arrested by the Ghana police, local media reports.
“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.”
The Police in a statement said that their preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly left the vehicle unattended and obstructed the rail lines, leading to a collision with the train.
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Local media reports indicate the truck driver had been making a delivery of cement blocks when the vehicle stalled on the rail line after he was unable to maneuver it through an underpass bridge along the route.
The incident has been described as “unfortunate, irresponsible, and unpatriotic” by the Railways Minister, John Peter Amewu.
Details Ghana’s newly acquired trains
The incident occurred during a Site Acceptance Test of the new DMU, which was being conducted by the Railway Ministry, its agencies, and the Polish manufacturer, Pesa.
Notably, the train involved in the accident is one of two diesel-powered trains acquired from Poland to enhance Ghana’s railway transport system.
The new Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) trains are intended to operate on the new 100km (60-mile) Tema-Mpakadan line.
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The first train, equipped with 12 modern passenger coaches, arrived in Ghana two weeks ago, while the second one is expected in August, railway agency chief Yaw Osuwu told local media.
The Railway Ministry has urged adherence to safety protocols near railway lines to ensure continued safe railway operations.
The authorities have assured the public that the investigation into the incident will continue.
